SPIDER-MAN's Tierney in Serious Condition; Broken Ribs, Bleeding and More

BroadwayWorld has learned from several sources that SPIDER-MAN stuntman Christopher Tierney has suffered several broken ribs and bleeding after his nearly 30-foot free fall on the SPIDEY set last night.  Fortunately, Tierney landed such that he avoided any crippling neck or spinal injury.  He is still being held at the hospital in serious, but stable condition.

For more on Tierney's injuries, click here.

Tierney fell during Act 2 when a cable failed to suspend him on a high platform. The show was first put on hold, and then cancelled as ambulances arrived on the scene. 

At 11:29 AM this morning, Equity released the following statement: "Actors' Equity Association is working with management and the Department of Labor to ensure that performances will not resume until back-up safety measures are in place.""

BroadwayWorld.com has also confirmed that the New York State Department of Labor visited the Foxwoods Theater this morning for its own investigation into what occurred last night that to interview with the production team and check of all equipment to determine if it was a human or technical error.

Many performers have contacted BroadwayWorld.com both last night and this morning, urging actors to contact the union individually to suggest that they 'step in' and get more involved with protecting the safety of the actors in this production.

Fellow actress, Natalie Mendoza, who herself received a concussion in the show wrote on her Twitter after 4am in response: "Please pray with me for my friend Chris, my superhero who quietly inspires me everyday with his spirit. A light in my heart went dim tonight."

BroadwayWorld was the first to report on the incident as we spoke to an audience member who was there, and told us that the incident occurred near the end of the show when the bridge comes down with MJ suspended in the air and Spider-Man goes after her. Basically, she went down and it seemed he went jumping after her. Then you saw the rope come down and then snap back up. Then all of a sudden, the stage manager's voice came on and said that there was going to be a pause. The theatre then stayed dark for a minute or two and then they called the show and brought the house lights back up.

Our source told us that for most of the audience, there was a moment of "did I really just see that?" foliowed by horror and concern. Coming from where the actor fell, a voice was heard screaming, as well, which was believed to be lead actress Jennifer Damiano's voice. As audience members left the theatre, at least one ambulance and fire truck were seen.

Another audience member contacted us to tell us that "The person taken away was the person playing Spider-Man at the time. He tried to get up and stagehands told him not to move. I was in the audience and I'm an NY EMT. Although I am not involved with the care of the patient they didn't use a back-board and collar as they brought him out. The ambulance stayed on site longer then expected, which would lead me to believe the injury isn't critical."