Magician David Copperfield's assistant sucked into the blades of a giant wind machine as horrified audience looks on
Last updated at 12:32 AM on 20th December 2008
Illusionist David Copperfield's assistant was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night after suffering horrific injuries during a live show.
A technician named Brandon was accidentally pulled into the vortex of an oversized fan on stage of Copperfield's An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Audience members watched in horror as the assistant was sucked into the fan, before another staff member rushed to switch it off.
Brandon, who is in his twenties, suffered puncture wounds in his face and broke his arm in several places.
He was rushed to University Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery to his arm.
A representative for Copperfield told UsMagazine.com: 'During an illusion where David attempts to walk through the rotating blades of a 12-foot high industrial fan, the fan and its platform were being rotated by one of David's illusion technicians.
'Just prior to David himself walking through the fan, [the assistant] was accidentally pulled into the vortex of the moving fan blades, causing injury to his arm and face.
'The surgery was several hours wherein the doctors could insert pins and bolts. There was a puncture on his face requiring eight or nine stitches. The Copperfield crew waited at the hospital during his arm and face surgery.'
Copperfield was with his assistant when he woke up after surgery on Thursday morning and presented him with a children's magic kit as a get well present.
The magician said: 'Brandon is a fantastic guy that has been with our team almost a year and is a loyal and hard-working illusion technician that is truly loved by all who know him.
'Many people assume that the death-defying illusions I do on stage are not dangerous. This unfortunate accident shows that couldn?t be further from the truth, and we?re just thankful that Brandon?s injuries weren?t worse.'
After Brandon's injuries, the curtain came down and Copperfield later informed the audience the rest of the show had been cancelled and they were all entitled to full refunds.
An audience member told the website: 'One of the assistants dropped to the floor. The curtain came down partially. Blood was everywhere, and the other assistants dragged the victim back. Then the curtain closed all the way.'
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