A young gymnast horrifically plunged to her death after plummeting from a so-called “Wheel of Death” during rehearsals for her first show.
Victoria Balandina had just started with the circus and was performing on a giant rotating contraption, in the city of Magnitogorsk, a major industrial centre in southern Russia, on Saturday. The young woman reportedly lost her balance and fell over five metres to the ground in a horror accident. Emergency workers rushed to the training site in a desperate attempt to save the 22-year-old’s life but she died in an ambulance a short while after her horror fall.
A shocking video caught the moment the woman suffered the fatal tumble as she was attempting to do somersaults as the huge wheel span. The footage caught Victoria as she slipped and landed head-first in the circus arena.
Victoria was part of an acrobatic trio called FOX from her hometown of Chelyabinsk. Her group’s leader, Alesya Mitina, said they had no idea she had gone to Magnitogorsk, saying: “We only found out yesterday. She didn’t tell us anything about going there.”
Victoria’s father, Alexey Balandin, confirmed that she had expressed interest in joining a circus and added: “Apparently, without telling anyone, she went to try out for this position.” Her heartbroken father claimed the stunt was performed without any safety gear.
He added that Victoria was not qualified to perform in the circus, saying: “She had no place being there. She was only qualified for sports in sports acrobatics but not a circus performer.”
Her heartbroken father claimed the circus has offered him no explanation into her tragic death. Rosgoscirk, the federal state circus company, confirmed that Victoria was not one of their employees and was not part of any scheduled performance.
They have launched an internal probe, while law enforcement has opened a criminal case. Prosecutors are investigating suspected safety violations leading to death through negligence.
A statement from the Investigative Committee said staff at the Magnitogorsk State Circus failed to provide proper safety equipment during the risky act.
Tributes flooded social media from devastated family and friends. One relative wrote: “She smiled, gave light and joy to everyone. We did not save you, Vika. I will miss you very much.”
A wake was held for young Victoria in Chelyabinsk, following her tragic death.
This has not been the first time a gymnast has horrifically fallen on their head while performing at a circus in Russia. Alexey Sh, 14, was performing spins and swinging from high wires when a snapped cable caused his belt to come loose and he plunged to the ground in front of horrified onlookers in Zarechny, which is in the Sverdlovsk region.
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