Trapeze artist plunges 30ft to the ground after losing balance on wheel of death

Trapezist David, who performs with Circo Quiros, fell to the ground while performing a death-defying stunt at a venue in Madrid, Spain - but miraculously survived with just "a small cut under the chin"

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Madrid: A trapeze artist dives to the floor during a number

This is the terrifying moment a trapeze artist plummets nearly 30 feet to the ground after losing his balance during a live performance on the wheel of death.

Colleagues feared the worst as David Castaneira lay motionless after his fall on Saturday afternoon.

But miraculously, what could have been a tragedy ended with him suffering only bruises and needing 10 stitches on a wound under his chin.

David, a Circo Quiros trapeze artist who suffered his accident while performing with his brother Michael at a venue next to the Islaazul shopping center in Madrid's Carabanchel district, told Spanish media: "I will I have a small cut under my chin that required 10 stitches.

"Now I am resting, but next weekend I will work again."

David Castaneira falls while trying to perform the "Wheel of Death" (

Picture:

SOLARPIX.COM)

His brother added, "It was a coordination problem and he fell off the highest point of the Wheel of Death."

The incident happened just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

David was released from hospital after tests and four hours of observation.

He was filmed being carried off on a stretcher and waving to members of the public after the show stopped for approximately 40 minutes before resuming.