Flip the 10-year-old circus boy accidentally hangs himself as he 'practises new trick in bedroom'



Tragic: Caleb 'Flip' Kors died after accidentally hanging himself in his bedroom

A 10-year-old street performer has died after accidentally hanging himself in his bedroom.



Caleb 'Flip' Kors, who was well-known for his juggling, magic and acrobatic tricks at the weekly farmers market in Bellingham, Washington, was found next to some acrobatic equipment.



Initial reports suggested he had been practising a trick, although it has also been claimed he had been scrambling around collecting material for a new costume.

He was rushed from his home in Sudden Valley to a Bellingham hospital after the accident on Monday before being airlifted to Seattle's main trauma center.

Whatcom County Sheriff's Department said the death happened accidentally in his room, amid assembled acrobatic equipment.

Whatcom County Chief Criminal Deputy Doug Chadwick told the Los Angeles Times: 'As far as we know, the young man died in what appears to be an accidental hanging.

'How he got there, we're not actually sure. There did not appear to be anything suspicious or nefarious.'

Kors, who had two older brothers, was a natural talent according to fellow performers at the Bellingham Circus Guild, where he attended drop in classes and private lessons.

His instructor Strangely Timothy Doesburg, who said Kors' family had asked him to speak on its behalf, told ABC news: 'He was a little monkey. He liked to climb and he fell. We don't know what happened exactly.

'He was an amazing kid. Incredible.

'Caleb at 10 could read a person or crowd and see what they needed and take them to a special place.

Natural talent: Caleb was well-known for his juggling, magic and acrobatic tricks which he performed at the weekly farmers market in Bellingham, Washington

Performer: Caleb juggles near his home in Sudden Valley, Washington

Caleb was found in his room next to acrobatic equipment

'He could say, "Hey I'm going to juggle.Be a part of this with me."'

The youngster was known as Flip the Circus Boy at the weekly farmer's market where his mother, Melanie, has a jewelry stall.

According to Mr Doesburg he was making 'serious money' much of which was spent on pizza which he shared with other young buskers at the market.



Mr Doesburg added: 'He was making more money during those nine months when the market was open than I was.

'Part of that is because the show was always changing. He was always building the show, finding things that work and getting rid of things that didn’t.'

