Circus Sarasota performers hurt in fall from wire

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SARASOTA, Fla. FiveĀ Circus Sarasota performers were seriously hurt in a fall from a high wire Wednesday, county officials said.

Nik Wallenda, a member of the famed Flying Wallendas, was on the wire, but he’ll be OK, according to his agency, DSW Entertainment.

Eight people in total fell from the wire, a rescue official said in a press conference.

The wire was about 30 feet from the ground, according to authorities. A circus spokesman nonetheless expressed optimism they would recover.

The group was practicing a high-wire pyramid act Wednesday in a tent for Circus Sarasota, which was set to open on Friday.

Wallenda was the anchor for the pyramid when the accident happened. He managed to catch himself and was not among the injured, officials said.

See more from the press conference at the scene:

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