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Acrobat dies after falling during Scottsdale golf dinner

Reported by: Christina Boomer
Email: cboomer@abc15.com
Reported by: Brent Roulier
Last Update: 1/28/2009 10:38 pm

Acrobat dies after falling during FBR Open dinner

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A man died after he fell about 20 feet during an acrobatic performance at an FBR Open dinner event in Scottsdale Tuesday night.

It happened at about 7:15 p.m. at the Bird's Nest near 89th Drive and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. The Bird's Nest is a large tent where parties are held during the FBR Open golf tournament.

San Diego resident Jose Angel Vera, 33, was performing an aerial stunt involving unraveling from a chain in front of more than 700 people. As he was descending, he fell from the rafters onto the ground. Witnesses said he fell on his head.

Police said Vera hit the floor of the tent and became unconscious.

The Cardio-Chest Compression procedure was performed by off-duty emergency services personnel until paramedics arrived, according to officials.

A server explained that the ground is asphalt and that there were no supports or safety nets.

Vera was transported to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn where he died from his injuries at 7:30 p.m., according to Scottsdale Police Sgt. Mark Clark.

The dinner was cancelled as police investigated the accident.

Police said Vera was a member of Aerial Artistry, a five-member acrobatics team. Sgt. Clark said the victim had performed acrobatic stunts for 16 years.

Police interviewed eyewitnesses and the victim's fellow team members to help discover what went wrong. Police also said there was no indication of foul play and investigators are trying to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Sgt. Clark said since this is considered a workplace accident, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) will be conducting its own investigation.