Lion turns on trainer during circus performance

TERRIFYING footage has emerged of a huge lion lunging at a female trainer at the circus and pinning her to the ground.

LION ATTACK

A HUGE lion has lunged at its trainer during a circus performance, pinning her to the ground in front of a terrified crowd.

Frightening footage showed renowned lion trainer Faten El-Helw going through the routine at a show in Egypt before the big cat pounced on her.

The crowd, including children, can be heard screaming as the drama unfolded.

The clip, uploaded to YouTube, shows Faten El-Helw dancing and waving to the audience when the lion leapt.

The huge creature wrapped its paws around the circus owner, tackling her to the ground in Thursday night’s attack.

Live show ... Faten El-Helw (right) was filmed dancing and waving to the audience as the lion was crouched on a stool (bottom left corner). Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube

Terrifying ... the audience screamed as the lion leapt off its stool and launched at the trainer. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube

Circus attack ... the lion wrapped its paws around the circus owner, tackling her to the ground. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube

Incredibly, the brave trainer was filmed jumping to her feet and walking out of the ring with the help of a man.

Lucky escape ... Faten El-Helw walked out of the ring with the help of a man. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube

Faten El-Helw was taken to a hospital where she was reportedly in stable condition.

She shared a picture on Facebook of her resting in bed with her arm in a sling.

The lion tamer’s late husband and fellow trainer, Ibrahim El-Helw, is said to have died in 2004 when one of the animals turned on him, The Mirror reported.

Survived ... renowned lion trainer Faten El-Helw (left) miraculously survived the lion attack. Picture: Facebook/Faten El-Helw