Cirque du Soleil Founder's Son Dies in Accident; LUZIA Shows Cancelled in San Francisco

Cirque du Soleil's LUZIA has been cancelled in San Francisco through Friday after the sudden death of technician Olivier Rochette, son of the company's co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix, earlier this week.

Variety writes that Rochette was struck in the head by an aerial lift an hour before the start of the performance on Tuesday night. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

A statement on Cirque du Soleil's official Facebook page reads:

"The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of LUZIA technician from Quebec, Olivier Rochette that happened on November 29th, in San Francisco. His immediate family, including his father Gilles Ste-Croix, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, has been informed of the accident. Our thoughts are with Gilles, his family and all Cirque du Soleil employees. We kindly ask the media representatives to respect the wishes of the family to mourn in private.

"I am heartbroken. I wish to extend in my name and in the name of all Cirque du Soleil employees my sincerest sympathies and offer my full support to Gilles and his family. Olivier has always been a member of our tight family and a truly beloved colleague," said Cirque du Soleil CEO, Daniel Lamarre.

"We have been working with the appropriate authorities and have offered our full cooperation. The performance of LUZIA has been cancelled today."

The accident is being investigated by the San Francisco Police Department and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

In other news, Cirque du Soleil's PARAMOUR, currently playing on Broadway, will be moving venues while the Lyric Theatre undergoes renovations next spring.

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