Cirque du Soleil Technician Killed During Accident Before Show

— -- A technician preparing the set for a performance of Cirque du Soleil's "Luzia" in San Francisco was struck by a lift and later died, the company and police said late Tuesday night.

Police responded to the accident at 6:43 p.m. in the city's Mission Bay neighborhood.

"The employee was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries," police said in a statement, adding that investigators would be on scene to determine the cause of the accident.

"It is with immense sadness that we report a fatal accident that occurred on Nov. 29, during the preset of the show "Luzia" in San Francisco," Cirque du Soleil said in a statement. "One of our employees, a technician on the show, was struck by a lift and passed away from his injuries."

The company declined to release the person's name. Tuesday's 8 p.m. show was canceled.