Trapeze Artist Dies in Plunge as 900 Look On

A trapeze artist slipped during a solo performance 17 feet above ground and plunged headfirst to her death as 900 spectators watched in horror, witnesses said.

Belinda Amandis, 31, of Sarasota, who once performed while suspended from a helicopter, died instantly in the fall Sunday night during the Circus USA show, authorities said.

“When it happened everybody looked around at each other, like, ‘This is some kind of trick--part of the act right?’ ” said Terry Koenig, 40, who was in the audience with his wife and two children.

“At the second she fell, everybody was silent,” said Koenig’s wife, Annie. “Then we realized what had happened.”

Amandis was balancing on her back while performing without a net. She slipped when she attempted to slide down the bar and hang on with one knee.

“The spotter down below made a jump to try and break her fall, but he was too late,” spectator Tom Gonzalez said. “She hit the ground on her face. It was probably the worst way she could fall.”

Fellow performers jumped into the two other rings to carry on in Amandis’ honor, but police called off the show and led the stunned spectators out of the tent.

“It’s our profession. You know there is always the possibility something like this can happen,” said Bertalina Nikolski, a high-wire artist. “Only the very best have the skill to perform without a net. She was definitely one of the best.”