Circus Performer, 38, Airlifted After Arrow Strikes Neck at Orange County Fair

Q: What safety measures were in place before a Circus Murcia performer was accidentally shot in the neck during a live Orange County Fair act?

The publicly reported safety measures appear to have been limited to the stunt setup itself and the show’s emergency response, with no detailed protective system disclosed before the accident. Authorities and circus officials said Ana Daza Tavera was aiming at a foam target that Edwin Cuervo Rangel was holding during the archery act. That foam target is the only specific preexisting safety element described in police and media accounts. No reports cited additional barriers, body protection, neck protection, mechanical restraints, or other redundant safeguards in place for the performers at the time of the shot. After the arrow struck Cuervo Rangel near the corner of his neck, circus staff immediately evacuated the audience so paramedics could reach him, and he was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center. Officials also stressed that no audience members were injured and the circus said there was no ongoing danger to the public. Because the incident remains under investigation, it is not yet clear whether Circus Murcia had internal rehearsal protocols, equipment checks, spacing rules, or other backstage safety procedures that have not been made public. Based on the information available so far, the known measures were the use of a foam target in the act and the prompt emergency response once the accident occurred.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 27

Edwin Cuervo Rangel, 38, was flown to Westchester Medical Center in stable condition after an arrow hit his neck during a Friday night stunt at the Orange County Fair in Wallkill, New York.
Around 9:30 p.m., fellow performer Ana Daza Tavera, 42, fired at a foam target Rangel was holding and missed, New York State Police said.
Circus Murcia's ringmaster said the crossbow bolt caught Rangel at the corner of the neck and caused no visible bleeding; the show's owner said he is expected to make a full recovery.
Police said no one else was hurt and the incident remains under investigation as the fair, which opened Thursday, runs through Aug. 2.