A Cirque du Soleil performer has died in a Montreal hospital after suffering head injuries when he fell off a trampoline while training Friday.

The Cirque issued a statement Saturday saying Oleksandr Zhurov, a Ukrainian in his 20s, had died. The accident happened during a regular training session at a Montreal facility where the international troupe rehearses for shows.

An emergency services official said Zhurov was unconscious when an ambulance arrived at the scene.

"He had head trauma, so we quickly transported the victim to the hospital," said Benoit Garneau, operations chief for an ambulance service.

"Today, it is all of Cirque that is in mourning," said Guy Laliberté, the troupe's founder. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sacha. My thoughts are with his parents and his family, to whom I offer my deepest sympathy.

"Sacha was part of the extended Cirque family for the few months he was among us," he said. "An incident like this reminds us of the courage and determination displayed by our artists each and every day. They are exceptional human beings who share their talents with great generosity."

The Cirque said it would not make any further comments since a coroner's inquiry into the death is underway. It added that it would co-operate fully with the investigation.

With files from The Canadian Press