Magician Roy Horn Critically Injured by Tiger
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 4) - A tiger attacked magician Roy Horn of duo ''Siegfried & Roy'' during a Friday night performance, leaving the superstar illusionist in critical condition, authorities said.
An audience member at The Mirage hotel-casino said the white tiger lunged at Horn, who tried to beat the animal off with a microphone.
''The tiger went for his neck, then drug him offstage,'' said Andy Cushman, a 23-year-old reporter from New Jersey. ''He looked like a rag doll.''
Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said Horn had a serious injury to the left side of his neck. Feldman said Horn, who turned 59 on Friday, was taken into surgery.
Horn was in critical condition at University Medical Center, said hospital spokeswoman Cheryl Persinger. Clark County Fire spokesman Bob Leinbach said that on the way to the hospital Horn was able to talk with the ambulance staff.
Cushman said Horn, the dark-haired member of the duo, appeared alone on stage with the tiger about 45 minutes into the show, and told the audience the animal was making his debut.
After the attack, Siegfried Fischbacher appeared on stage and said the performance was canceled, Cushman said.
''Roy is a very, very strong-willed person as well as having physical strength,'' said Bernie Yuman, the duo's longtime manager. ''I'm cautiously optimistic.'' Yuman thanked friends and fans who have sent their support.
''It's touching to hear from so many people all at a short time,'' Yuman said.
Hotel officials said the show has been canceled indefinitely. The tiger involved in the attack, a 7-year-old male named Montecore, was quarantined at the hotel, officials said.
The German-born pair perform six shows a week, 44 weeks per year and have been performing in Las Vegas for more than 30 years.
The illusionists, who put on one of the most well-known and expensive Las Vegas shows with their signature white tigers and lions, signed a lifetime contract with the Mirage in 2001.
AP-NY-10-04-03 0354EDT
