Seven Acrobats Remain Hospitalized Following Sunday’s Circus Accident in Providence

Several media outlets are reporting one of the nine acrobats injured during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus performance Sunday in Providence has been released from the hospital.

Seven others are still hospitalized and doctors are expected to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to update their conditions, according to NBC 10 in Providence. Another injured performer had been previously released.

The acrobats were injured when they plummeted between 25 and 40 feet to the ground below when the platform they were hanging from collapsed during a hair-hanging act. Investigators found Tuesday the cause to be a faulty carabiner clip - the combination of a manufacturing defect of the clip or improper use is to blame.

Injured performer Samantha Pitard was released Tuesday from Rhode Island Hospital and despite suffering fractures to her spine, a cut on her heat and stitches on a badly bitten tongue, she told the Associated Press she wants to perform again, NBC 10 is reporting.

Of those still in the hospital, NBC-10 is reporting four of the seven are in serious condition, while three patients asked that their conditions not be released.