Circus performer ‘incredibly lucky’ to be alive after being accidentally shot in neck

A circus performance at an upstate New York county fair took a terrifying turn Friday night when a performer was accidentally shot in the neck with an arrow during a crossbow act, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at the Orange County Fair in Middletown, northwest of New York City. Edwin Cuervo Rangel, 38, was struck by an arrow fired by his partner, Ana Daza Tavera, 42, during their crossbow sharpshooting act as he held a foam target.

Both performers are from Waukesha, Wisconsin.Cuervo Rangel was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition, leading to the cancellation of the circus for the evening. Benjamin Jackson, ringmaster at Circus Murcia, provided an update on Monday, stating Cuervo Rangel was incredibly fortunate.

The arrow struck the side of his neck in an area primarily composed of soft tissue, avoiding major blood vessels. "No blood leaking out. There was a little around the hole where the arrow went in, kind of like getting your ear pierced," Jackson said.

Cuervo Rangel was released from the hospital on Saturday after the arrow was safely removed and he received stitches, according to Jackson. State fair crowds (Getty Images)While he will require time to heal before he can resume performing, Jackson confirmed he was "walking around, talking, eating, enjoying life." Circus Murcia returned to its regular schedule of three shows a day on Saturday, though notably without the crossbow act.

The Circus Murcia act is a new circus added this year to the Empire State Fair. The Orange County Fair is the oldest in New York and has been happening for 186 years. The fair runs until Aug.

2. Big Top Circus featuring Circus Murcia was advertised as the must-see attraction. Join our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments