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Circus acrobat Jackie-Louise Armstrong hurt in fall at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

A circus acrobat from Kent has suffered serious injuries in a horror fall during a show at London's Winter Wonderland attraction.

Jackie-Louise Armstrong, who grew up on Romney Marsh, plunged 12ft to the ground in front of horrified spectators tonight.

Jackie-Louise performing her arielist routine (19381754)
Jackie-Louise performing her arielist routine (19381754)

Jackie, a mum-of-one, is feared to have fallen from her harness during the Zippos Christmas Circus show at Hyde Park.

Last month KentOnline interviewed Jackie-Louise as part of a feature about her life in the circus. She told us how she joined after finishing theatre studies at Christchurch University in Canterbury, having gone to Lydd Primary School and the former Southlands School, now Marsh Academy.

Tonight's horrific accident happened during the 6pm show.

Medical staff rushed to her aid whilst the audience was cleared from the venue.

One witness said: "It was horrific. I thought it was part of the act but when she didn’t get back up I knew something was wrong. A group of people ran on to help her and people were shouting for a paramedic."

Jackie Louise. Photo: Piet-Hein (22431525)
Jackie Louise. Photo: Piet-Hein (22431525)

Circus director Martin Burton told Sun Online: “Jackie is a very experienced artist whom we value dearly as part of our circus family. Clearly we are concerned and offering her and her family our full support and sympathy at this time.

“At this stage we cannot comment further as we have no information on any injuries she may have sustained.”

During last month's KentOnline interview, Jackie-Louise told how she had fallen in love after joining Zippos.

In 2011 she met Valter, 33, one of the motorcyclists who joined Zippos as part of the globe of death act - motorbikes zoom around a spherical cage while a daring performer stands in the centre. The two fell in love and now have a baby, Lexie, together.

Lexie just turned one and has already settled into the circus life.

"If I'm in the ring one of the dancers will have Lexie backstage," Jackie-Louise said. "Or if me and Valter want to go out on a date night you've got five other people who will look after Lexie."

More as we get it.

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