15 Honored With Awards After Circus Mishap

8 acrobats injured when they plummeted during stunt

A member of the Rhode Island bomb squad has been honored with a state lifesaving award for helping injured acrobats after a circus accident in Providence in May.

Bruce Quinn of Wakefield was among 15 Rhode Islanders who received the state's highest award for bravery and heroics at a ceremony led by Gov. Lincoln Chaffee at the Statehouse Thursday.

Eight acrobats were injured when they plummeted about 20 feet during a hair-hanging stunt at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Officials say a clamp that held the acrobats by their hair malfunctioned.

Quinn helped stabilize a performer with a compound fracture who was in and out of consciousness. He also helped other acrobats.

Quinn says he's humbled by the award and called the accident response a team effort.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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