Fans on Strip turn out for injured magician Roy

Heather Rawlyk

Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 | 11:21 a.m.

Blood donations Those wishing to donate blood can call United Blood Services at 228-8400.

Siegfried & Roy fans flocked to the golden statue of the duo in front of the Mirage on Sunday, bringing flowers, balloons and best wishes for Roy Horn, who was mauled by a tiger Friday.

An impromptu memorial formed as fans awaited word and wrote get-well messages in cards and on two giant notepads.

Pedestrians gathered to watch Sunday as three men assembled a rainbow of balloons that was draped above the statue from two poles. While some supporters stood in prayer, others approached out of curiosity, pointing and talking about the stunning attack that took place during Friday night's show.

"I was just walking by when I saw all of this," Olivia Bateg of Baton Rouge, La., said. "At first you think it's some kind of memorial. I was like 'Oh no, he didn't make it.' "

Bateg wasn't the only one who had that reaction. Panicked vacationers ran to a nearby security officer asking if Roy had died. They sighed with relief when they were told Horn survived the attack. He was in critical condition at University Medical Center after one of his white tigers attacked him on stage Friday night.

"I am happy to hear that he has survived, but am very worried about his condition," Bateg said. "You can tell how much everyone loves these guys by looking at this sidewalk. I know people nationwide are very concerned." Sunday night cast members and workers of the Siegfried & Roy show, as well as fans, held a candlelight vigil at UMC.

Cast member Joella Bowden sighed as she reflected on all that has happened.

"I think we're all kind of in a state of shock really," she said. "I know him through the show and he's incredible. He's always laughing and growling at everybody like a tiger. We're all just very sad."

Bowden said that she is mostly surprised that this could happen to an expert trainer such as Horn.

"All the tigers are so trained, it all just kind of happened out of the blue," she said. "Nobody in the show would ever expect something like this to happen."

Debbie McCarthy, whose husband dances in the show, said Horn is full of laughter and strives to make people feel good.

"Just the night before (the attack) we were having a great time dancing with Roy and celebrating his birthday," she said. "Then within 24 hours to be in this situation, everybody just can't believe it." When asked about the vigil turnout,

Bowden and McCarthy agreed that the crowd proves what a powerful effect Horn has on the city.

"I know a lot of people but there are a lot of faces I have not seen before," McCarthy said. "It just goes to show how many lives Roy has touched."

Bowden, who danced for the show for over a year, said that praying for Horn is her top priority right now. "Right now I just hope for Roy to get better," she said. "That is our main concern and the concern of everyone involved in the show. We're just keeping him in our prayers, so right now, that's all I'm working on."

During the vigil, fans and cast members screamed "We love you Roy" in hopes that he could hear them. Inside the Mirage on Sunday afternoon, people visited the white tiger den to catch a glimpse of the big cats behind glass. While the scene outside at the statue seemed mournful, the crowd inside gawked at the size of the tigers and shivered at the size of their teeth.

"You look at the power in these cats, not only their teeth but their size and you are amazed that Roy survived," Adam Talberg of Salt Lake City said. "I mean, I guess how I can see this happening. Look at the way that tiger just walks back and forth while we all look at him through a glass wall. You know that's why these things snap when they're held in captivity. I would too."

Others said that watching the tigers has helped them understand the seriousness of Horn's injury and the strength of the tigers.

"At first you can't understand how something like this could happen," said Adam Talberg's wife, Nancy. "But then you realize that these are wild animals and don't have human ways of thinking. Even if Siegfried and Roy are their best friends, you can't guarantee reciprocity from the animal, you just can't."

Other visitors said that they were most surprised because it happened to a highly respected professional such as Horn.

"I was shocked when I heard the news because even if you know this kind of thing can happen, you don't expect it to actually happen," said Ben Lennings of Phoenix. "You especially don't expect this from someone like Roy. You think because they do this a hundred times that this can't happen, but they are human and mistakes can happen."