Tassiane Dolenga was an experienced motorbike rider who had been riding for more than 15 years. During a rehearsal for her first ever circus performance, she attempted a daring stunt which went wrong
A 25-year-old female biker has been killed in an accident while attempting a daring stuntfor a circus performance rehearsal.
Tassiane Dolenga was attempting to jump from one ramp to another during a rehearsal in Senador Canedo, in central Brazil, on November 7. During the stunt attempt, however, Tassiane reportedly made a wrong move and crashed her motorcycle.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and immediately transported her to a local hospital. However, she had sustained severe injuries and could not be saved, dying at the hospital soon after her arrival.
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Tassiane was a licensed and experienced rider who was set to perform for the first time at the Circo Rocco on November 10 after practicing the sport for more than 15 years. In a statement, the circus said it was available to authorities to collaborate with the investigations but did not specify whether it would continue with the performances.
An investigation has been launched to try and identify how the accident happened, with the case being treated as a traffic accident to be investigated by the police. Spokesperson Karla Fernandes said: "She is an already accredited, prepared, experienced [rider], she has been working in this market for many years.
"Her boss was with her and she was the main attraction of this event. She was a person who knew how to maneuver. It is a risky sport."
A spokesperson for Circo Rocca said: "The team is devastated by this irreparable loss and offers its deepest condolences to the young artist's family, friends and fans." Tassiane's brother, Flavio Dolenga, who is also a circus artist said: "This is part of the sport.
"There is no rider who has never been involved in an accident. Unfortunately, it's a risk that we all know we take."
Following his sister's fatal accident, Flavio has vowed to never ride another motorcycle again. Tassiane was the youngest sister and had two older brothers, with Flavio saying until the accident everyone rode motorcycles.
"It runs in the family," he said. "My sister started when she was little, she wasn't even 10 years old. My father was a sports fan and brought it to us. But now we're going to abandon it, out of respect and consideration for her and the whole family. There's no more climate to ride a motorcycle now."
Flavio said that despite Tassiane having ridden a motorbike for 15 years, it was set to be her first circus performance. He said: "It was the first time. She fell during training, so she didn't even perform."
The family is organizing a fundraising campaign to raise the necessary funds to have Tassiane buried in her hometown of Curitiba.
Facing tragedy, they are asking for help to cover the funeral process, including transportation and body preparation, with a goal of 30,000 Brazilian Real ($6,101). Flavio said Tassi, as she was known to family and friends, was a lively cheerful and beloved person.
"You could count on her for everything; she was a super mom," he said. Tassi leaves behind a four-year-old son.
