A circus performer was accidentally shot in the neck by an arrow during a performance at the Orange County Fair in Middletown, New York. The incident occurred on Friday night involving Edwin Cuervo Rangel, 38, who was struck by a projectile fired by his partner Ana Daza Tavera, 42.
Both performers are from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Following the accident, Cuervo Rangel was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition. The circus canceled its remaining shows for the night.
The Orange County Fair is the oldest in New York and has been operating for 186 years. The current fair runs until Aug. 2. Circus Murcia is a new addition to the Empire State Fair this year.
Recovery and return to schedule
Benjamin Jackson, ringmaster at Circus Murcia, stated that Cuervo Rangel was hit on the side of his neck in an area with mostly soft tissue and no major blood vessels. Jackson described the wound as having minimal bleeding.
Like getting your ear pierced.
Cuervo Rangel was released from the hospital on Saturday after the arrow was safely removed and he received stitches. Jackson noted that the performer was walking around, talking, eating, and enjoying life.
While Cuervo Rangel will need time to heal before resuming performances, the circus returned to its regular schedule of three shows a day on Saturday. The crossbow act was excluded from the lineup.