David Blaine's upside down trick could kill him

Tuesday, 23 September 2008

American illusionist David Blaine has begun a brand new test of endurance despite doctors telling him about the immense health risks.

The magician aims to hang upside down, suspended by his feet, for 60 hours over the Wollmann ice rink in New York.

But docs have warned him about the effect of the stress on his internal organs and blood circulation.

The 35 year-old began the stunt on Monday, being hoisted by his heels to a position four storeys high in the air.

More pics of David Blaine upside down.

It's a place Blaine intends to remain for the next 2-and-a-half days, but will be lowered down from time to time to chat to fans, still upside down.

He is also permitted to free one leg and raise his head to a horizontal position if needed, but he's not going to eat or sleep and will only drink through a straw and urinate through a catheter.

Just hours after beginning the marathon endurance task, Blaine said he was "doing all right" but already admitted his head felt like it was "about to explode".

His previous stunts have included spending 3 days encased in ice, a week underwater and 44 days without food in a glass box in London.

But Blaine reckons this is going to be "the most difficult for sure".

He told the BBC: "The others you could get into them soon after the start."

"But this one is tough from the get-go."

Surely you shouldn't be defying doctors' warnings though David?

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Check out more pics of David Blaine and his many stunts in our photo gallery.