Watch horrifying moment human cannonball MISSES safety net in circus stunt gone wrong leaving him with serious injuries

THIS is the horrifying moment a human cannonball misses the safety net in a circus stunt gone wrong.

The performer is now facing lifetime paralysis following the freak accident at the Los Vásquez circus show in Antofagasta, Chile, last Friday night (April 5).

The circus performer had been climbing into the cannon ready to be firedJam Press Vid

Jam Press Vid

He proceeded to miss the safety net and plummet towards the ground[/caption]

Jam Press Vid

The ‘human cannonball’ lies motionless on the floor as staff rush to his aid[/caption]

The ‘human cannonball’ – a phrase used for circus artists with this particular job – could be seen posing on the edge of the cylinder before climbing inside.

The ringmaster then asks spectators to wish him “so long” and count down until the cannon fires the man across the big top.

But as the aerial stunt performer soars through the air, he slips through a gap in the safety net.

Audience members gasp in shock as he hits the ground with a loud thud.

Circus staff immediately run over to help the man as he lies motionless in the ring.

The performer was rushed to a local hospital with multiple fractures, according to local media.

His condition is serious and he could end up paralysed and may never walk again, hospital sources say.

Officials were sent to the circus to investigate and they confirmed several irregularities.

Antofagasta Regional Labour Director, Margarita López said: “He was working informally, without a work contract or social security coverage.

“We found the same situation with other circus workers.”

The circus was allowed to continue operating, but with a ban on aerial stunts until the investigation is concluded.

The hospitalised performer’s name is withheld.

Circus performers are trained experts but questions are often raised over the safety of their stunts.

Last year, a trapeze artist fell 30ft to her death after her husband failed to catch her in a daring stunt watched by a screaming crowd.

Footage shared online shows the moment Sun Moumou, 37, fell to the hard stage during a show in Suzhou city, China, 12 months ago.

Her husband failed to catch her with his legs as the couple performed a risky change of position in mid-air.

Months before, a circus tamer was mauled by a tiger in front of horrified families during a live show.

Members of the audience in Italy gasped as the beast sunk its teeth into keeper Ivan Orfei.

The 31-year-old was concentrating on one tiger sitting on top of a giant metal ring when another crept up behind him and pounced.

The Los Vásquez circus in Antofagasta, Chile, where the horrifying accident took placeJam Press