NY circus performer airlifted to hosp after female colleague’s arrow misses target and hits his neck

NY circus performer airlifted to hosp after female colleague’s arrow misses target and hits his neck

An upstate circus performer had to be airlifted to the hospital after a female colleague missed her target with her arrow and struck him in the neck, cops said.

New York State Police said the incident happened while Ana Daza Tavera, 42, was performing with Edwin Cuervo Rangel, 38, at the Orange County Fair in Wallkill around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

The pair were undertaking the daring stunt where Daza Tavera took her bow and launched an arrow at a foam target held by Cuervo Rangel, cops said. 

A circus performer was shot in the neck with an arrow in an act-gone-awry upstate Friday. Facebook / Orange County Fair

The arrow ended up striking Cuervo Rangel police said. 

“Well, last night, unfortunately, when she shot the crossbow, it caught him in his neck,” Circus Murcia Ringmaster Benjamin Jackson told News 12.

“The good news is, she caught him right at the very corner of the neck. There was no blood, nothing.” 

The struck circus performer was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center, where he is in stable condition, according to authorities. 


Circus tent decorated with red, white, and blue colors and stars, lit up at night.
The shot man is expected to fully recover, circus officials said. Facebook / Orange County Fair

Circus Murcia owner Alexander Murcia confirmed the incident in a statement and said Cuervo Rangel is expected to make “a full recovery,” according to the Hudson Valley Post. 

“Our thoughts remain with him during his recovery, and we sincerely appreciate the outstanding care provided by the first responders, medical team, and everyone who assisted,” Murcia said.

Police said an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

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