A tamer was savaged by a lion in front of an audience in northern France, footage has shown, reports The Independent.
The animal can be seen on top of the trainer while screaming children are heard in the background.
The 30-year-old victim, who has been named by daily Le Parisien as Steeve Loberot, is thrown around the closure and dragged from one side to the other during the show in Doullens.
Members of staff from Buffalo Circus are seen in the video entering the cage to help the man and spray the animal to get it to back off.
The trainer is then seen stumbling out of the arena clutching his throat.
Exact details of the injuries sustained have not been revealed.
The man was however flown to hospital by helicopter and his current condition is unknown, regional daily La Voix Du Nord reported.