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A man was taken to hospital after a lighting unit fell on him and his young son during a circus performance yesterday.
The drama happened at the Weber Brothers Circus performance in Devonport. Eyewitnesses said the show, featuring medieval knights on horseback, was suddenly interrupted by screams and yells before staff stopped the performance to attend to the family.
The injured man was taken outside, where he was treated by ambulance staff. The boy was shaken but unhurt.
The show resumed after an apology to the audience.
Inspectors from Occupational Safety and Health later visited the circus to examine the lighting unit.
Last night, general manager Marie Weber said: "A light on a tripod fell over and landed on one of the spectators and his son.
"The man suffered an injured leg and was taken to hospital as a precaution, but his wife later telephoned us to say he had been sent home after treatment. He is not seriously hurt, and we have offered them tickets to come back next week.
"We are just relieved he wasn't badly hurt. It's just one of those unfortunate things," Weber said.
One eyewitness said: "There was a crash followed by yelling, and at first everyone thought it was part of the act, as it was at the point when the Black Knight rode on stage. But then the show stopped, and the staff apologised, saying there had been an accident."
