Circus performer hospitalized after falling to metal floor on tightrope walker

A circus performer was hospitalized with serious injuries after falling from a tightrope.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service (Seacamb) confirmed to PEOPLE that the woman was “injured” while performing at a circus show at Glyne Gap Field in East Sussex, England on Monday, August 19. Seriously injured”.

In released footage of the event, the performer stood on a chair between two other artists on a tightrope about 16 feet in the air, CBS News reported. Then she slowly sat on the back of the chair and lowered her legs to the sides. As she leaned forward, she seemed to lose her footing and fell to the floor.

Seacamb said in a statement to PEOPLE that they “received a call at 4:45 p.m. Monday regarding a person falling from a height.”

“The patient is an adult female who suffered injuries to her face and other areas as a result of the fall. She was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with serious injuries, but it is believed her The condition is not life-threatening.

According to BBC News, the injured woman was part of a show performed by Columbia’s high-wire troupe and Gravity Circus.

Hayley Welsh, who attended the circus and witnessed the fall, told the outlet: “It looked like her leg was broken. She lost her balance, got tangled in wires and went flying. She fell to the metal floor.

Gravity Circus posted an update on the incident in the comments section of its Facebook page, saying the woman was “doing well” and “recovering in hospital.”

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In a statement to BBC News, the company added: “We can confirm there was an incident last night involving one of our high wire performers.”

“In live entertainment and high-risk performances, despite strict safety measures, accidents can still happen. Emergency plans were immediately put in place and performers were immediately taken to hospital.

The company added that its “primary concern is the welfare of the performers” and that it was conducting a “thorough investigation,” according to BBC News.

Gravity Circus did not immediately respond to People when asked for comment.