A BRITISH-BASED theatre company which lost one of its members in Donegal on Wednesday has expressed its sadness at the tragic loss of the young performer.
Fidget Feet, which specialises in aerial theatre, said it was “devastated” at the death of Welsh native Emma Insley (30), who was crushed to death when a visual arts display collapsed on her during a rehearsal in Letterkenny.
A statement released by the theatre company said: “All at Fidget Feet are devastated by the sudden tragic loss of one of our company members. It’s a great loss both to the company and to the performing arts community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”
Ms Insley, who had an address in London, died when a large metal globe which was attached to a crane fell on her in a field in the Lurgybrack area of Donegal. She had been suspended on bungee ropes under the globe when a malfunction caused it to collapse. She had been rehearsing an aerial display for the upcoming Bluestack Festival in Ballyshannon when the accident happened.
The Health and Safety Authority and Garda have begun separate investigations.
Daithi Ramsey, box office manager with An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny, said: “Our thoughts are with her, her family and her friends at this sad and tragic time.”
Fidget Feet was founded eight years ago by Donegal-born choreographer Chantal McCormick and musician/husband Jym Daly, combining contemporary dance and aerial acts.
Local man Martin Anderson, who runs Hillcrest Bed and Breakfast in Lurgybrack, said the tragedy had numbed the community with shock and sadness. “There’s a huge sense of shock in the area. It’s extremely sad.”
Ms Insley, a qualified physical performer, was originally from Llandrindod in Wales.