Cirque du Soleil employee dies in accident ahead of performance

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - An employee with Cirque du Soleil died after an apparent work-related accident on Tuesday in San Francisco.

A performance was canceled when a serious industrial accident initially caused life-threatening injury to the employee.

San Francisco Police Department confirmed that firefighters were investigating the accident at the 'Luzia: A Waking Dream of Mexico' show near AT&T Park. 

Officer Grace Gatpandan tweeted SFPD responded to a tent in Lot A at Mission Rock and 3rd Street at 6:43 p.m. 

The employee was transported to the hospital for treatment. 

Cirque du Soleil released the following statement on the incident:

“It is with immense sadness that we report a fatal accident that occurred on November 29, during the pre-set of the show LUZIA in San Francisco. One of our employees, a technician on the show, was struck by a lift and passed away from his injuries. We cannot confirm our employee’s identity at this time as his family has yet to be reached. We are currently gathering more information about this tragic accident and will update you with more details as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

SFPD Traffic Collision Investigation Unit and CAL-OSHA will remain on the scene to determine the cause of the accident. 

Authorities say the accident took place before the show, prompting the cancelation. 

San Francisco Chronicle reports the person hurt is an equipment operator. 

The Luzia show runs until January 29, 2017.