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A stunned silence descended on the audience of Uncle Sam’s American Circus after a human cannonball stunt went awry.

Dressed as Marvel superhero Captain America, the acrobat was fired out of the cannon during a show on Thursday, June 30. Instead of landing safely on a net, he crashed onto a metal rail along the perimeter of the circus ring.

Videos posted to social media show the ringmaster calmly walk to the aid of the stricken acrobat as he lays motionless.

Eyewitness Cherokee Jones said: “The show went into an early interval stating they needed to seek medical attention. He was out cold on the floor.

“They opened up the food etc and sold it. They put the guy onto a mat and carried him away behind stage – still no sign of him awake. The ambulance arrived in probably about ten minutes and by the time they drove onto field the show was beginning back up.

“I left to take my son to the toilet and they were putting the man into back of the ambulance and shut the door. When we left the show the ambulance was still there and the police had just arrived.”

She added it was scary for everyone – especially children.

A statement from Uncle Sam’s American Circus, provided to Caerphilly Observer, said the “artiste involved will make a full recovery over time”.

The circus, which has its winter headquarters in Grantham, Lincolnshire, was pitched up at Llanbradach Showfield from Thursday, June 23 to Sunday, July 3.

Responsibility for enforcing health and safety laws at travelling circuses falls to local authorities and Caerphilly County Borough Council has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is investigating.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called on Thursday, June 30 at 5.45pm to reports of an incident on Glenview Terrace, Llanbradach.

“We sent one rapid response vehicle and one emergency ambulance to the scene, where one person was transported to the University Hospital Wales Cardiff for further treatment.”

In a statement, Gwent Police said: “A 28-year-old man was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with potential life-changing injuries.

“The incident has now been referred to Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Health Safety Executive for consideration.”