Olivier Rochette, Technician and Son of Cirque du Soleil Founder, Dies in AccidentOlivier Rochette, a technician working on the Cirque du Soleil show Luzia, was killed while setting up the show in San Francisco. He was 42 and the son of Gilles St. Croix, a founder of Cirque du Soleil. According to CNN, the incident, which took place on November 29, "occurred around 6:43pm, about an hour before the evening show in San Francisco. Rochette was hit by a telescopic lift and taken to a local hospital, according to the company and police." In a statement titled "Cirque du Soleil in Mourning," the company said, "The entire Cirque du Soleil family is saddened by the accidental death of Luzia technician from Quebec, Olivier Rochette that happened on November 29th, in San Francisco. His immediate family, including his father Gilles St. Croix, one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil, has been informed of the accident. Our thoughts are with Gilles, his family, and all Cirque du Soleil employees. We kindly ask the media representatives to respect the wishes of the family to mourn in private." Cirque du Soleil CEO, Daniel Lamarre, added, "I am heartbroken. I wish to extend in my name and the name of all Cirque du Soleil employees my sincerest sympathies and offer my full support to Gilles and his family. Olivier has always been a member of our tight family and a truly beloved colleague." The company's statement added, "We have been working with the appropriate authorities and have offered our full cooperation." 
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