Magician assistant injured onstage

An assistant for magician David Copperfield was injured onstage in view of the audience during a Wednesday show and now is recovering from surgery for multiple arm fractures and facial injuries.

"It was a pretty scary accident," said Chris Kenner, producer of Copperfield's show at the MGM Grand.

The assistant, identified only as Brandon, was caught in a giant industrial fan used for the show's second-to-last illusion, in which Copperfield appears to pass through its blades.

"The fan just caught him and pulled him in," Kenner said. The assistant helps lock a scrim into place in front of the magician.

Another assistant immediately hit a button that stopped the fan, but the assistant's arm was broken and his face punctured.

Copperfield first asked the audience to wait, then returned to announce the rest of the performance, the second of two, was canceled. Patrons were offered refunds.

The assistant was rushed to University Medical Center. Several co-workers waited through the night, and Copperfield visited the hospital this morning to greet the assistant when he woke up. He also came bearing gifts: a children's magic kit, Kenner said.

Kenner said the assistant is in his mid-20s and has worked for the show almost a year.

"We've done this trick for years. We've probably performed it 4,000 times," Kenner said.

When the fan is first brought onstage, it faces the audience and blasts air into the first few rows.

Despite the demonstration, "we always have people saying that it's fake or that the blades are rubber," Kenner said.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.