Magician Blaine ends gyroscope stunt with dramatic plunge

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

NEW YORK (AFP) — US magician David Blaine has successfully escaped from a gyroscope hoisted high above the streets of New York, two days after being strapped to the spinning device in his latest stunt. The 33-year-old conjurer jumped off the gyroscope, 15 metres (50 feet) above Manhattan streets, and safely broke through a wooden platform Thursday after escaping from his shackles in the stunt for charity.

Blaine had been locked into a harness and spread-eagled in the centre of three concentric metal rings, which allowed the gyroscope to tilt in any direction. A crane held the gyroscope in the air. The contraption left Blaine totally exposed to the winter elements, wearing only a lightly padded jacket, trousers and a scarf while he dangled above a vacant lot near Times...