The shocking video shows an acrobat falling from a flywheel during a circus performance and suffering a hand fracture.

In the clip, recorded by a spectator in the audience, the acrobat, dressed up in a white leotard, fell from the flywheel in the middle of the performance on Friday, December 22.

Just seconds later he can be seen holding his hand in pain, as terrified guests at the Happy Fantasy Circus in the Lin'an District, in the city of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province, eastern China, shrieked in shock.

When asked about the incident the following day, a circus member told Chinese media: 'The actor who fell is not seriously injured.

'His right hand has a slight bone fracture and is already in a cast.'

On how the incident happened, the individual added: 'Because the flywheel is slippery, maybe he accidentally lost his footing for a moment.'

The circus employee further added that the incident did not go unnoticed by local authorities.

He added: 'We have received notice from the local cultural and tourism department. The weather in Hangzhou has been cold recently, and the props are made of stainless steel and are a bit slippery.

'If the temperature does not rise, the show will be temporarily suspended and will be replaced by other shows.'