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Illusionist Escapes Imploding Building —Barely

Vows never to try another dangerous stunt

By Michael Foreman, Newser User

Posted Jul 31, 2008 11:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Goth illusionist Criss Angel escaped an imploding hotel in Florida last night, reports Central Florida News. During the stunt, which aired live on A&E's Mindfreak, the daredevil had three and a half minutes to pick handcuffs and four padlocked doors before catching a helicopter on the roof. While Angel failed to beat the blast, he emerged unscathed moments later.

Angel said he chose the Spyglass Resort in Clearwater because no other city would agree to let him attempt the death-defying stunt. He dodged questions from St. Petersburg Times reporters on whether the outcome was planned, saying, "I flipped it on you, didn't I?" But the escape artist promised his mother this would be the last dangerous trick of his career.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Criss Angel arrives for the grand opening party of LAX nightclub at the Luxor hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Aug 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Criss Angel gestures before entering a glass box for a stunt, June 4, 2007. He promised the Spyglass implosion would be his last dangerous escape attempt. (AP Photo, file)

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Criss Angel talks about the Spyglass Hotel implosion with writer Mike Donila. (timesshooter)

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Illusionist Escapes Imploding Building —Barely