Horrifying moment lion tamer is savaged by a raging beast in front of shocked kids at a French circus

HORRIFYING footage has emerged showing the moment a circus lion tamer was savaged by his lion in front of an audience of screaming kids.

The huge predator can be seen on top of the trainer after pouncing on him in Doullens, northern France.

The big cat drags the stricken 30-year-old around the enclosure, throwing him around like a rag doll.

Children can be heard screaming in terror as their parents rush to get them out of the tent before they are scarred for life by what they see.

See footage at The Sun.

Eventually, other staff members at the Buffalo Circus come to the man’s rescue, spraying the animal with what looks like a fire extinguisher.

The lion backs off and the dazed trainer gets back to his feet, stumbling out of the arena as he holds his throat.

But the caged beast is not done yet and tries to give chase before being beaten back by the other staff members.

The lion tamer was seriously injured by the animal’s claws and fangs and was rushed to hospital by helicopter, according to La Voix Du Nord.

Several audience members were also taken ill, the local news site claimed.

One mum is quoted as saying: “It is my six-year-old girl who screams in the video – she cried all night.”

Staff at the circus have now reportedly speculated the animal might be put down, with one telling French media: “We can no longer work with him.”

This story first appeared on The Sun but is reproduced here with permission.