Ringling Bros. production manager Chantal Stringer says the performer had been preparing for an act that required he climb in and out of a wheel that rotates on an axis. He was outside of the wheel when he plunged onto what circus-goer John Flores described as a thin piece of padding.

Flores says the performer landed on his right shoulder. Stringer says the performer, who has not been named, seemed to be in "good spirits" and "doing fine" Saturday evening. The cause of the fall is under investigation.