Cirque du Soleil performer hurt in 'Wheel of Death' fall in Vegas

A Cirque du Soleil acrobat was hospitalized in stable condition Saturday, the day after falling during a "Wheel of Death" act in Las Vegas, the group said. The accident occurred during a Friday night performance of the stage production "Zarkana" at the Aria Resort and Casino, NBC News reported. The male artist slipped and fell during the "Wheel of Death" portion of the show, the group said on its Facebook page. NBC said its Las Vegas affiliate, KSNV, reported the Clark County Fire Department confirmed it responded to a call that someone had fallen about 20 feet. Cirque de Soleil spokeswoman Ann Paladie said the acrobat was taken by ambulance to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas and was expected to be released in a few days. Federal officials said Tuesday they would fine Cirque du Soleil more than $25,000 and the MGM Grand hotel $7,000 for workplace violations in the June 29 death of another performer, Sarah Guillot-Guyard, 31, who plummeted fell 94 feet during a performance of the show "Ka" when a wire rope holding her up failed.