Blaine cage attack (Hocus Pocus, The Nut-Bags are Bogus)

London Evening Standard ^ | 16 September 2003 | By Alexis Akwagyiram and Graham Culliford

[.cnI redruM]

In a dramatic raid just before 5am a man scaled a scaffold support tower which is connected to Blaine's perspex cage. Two accomplices had diverted security guards. The protester then tried to cut through the cable supplying water to the illusionist who is in the 10th day of his 44-day endurance challenge.

He also grabbed at other supporting cables and shouted abuse at the shocked magician who was woken by the disturbance. During the security breach the protester shouted: "Go home David, go back to America. We don't want you here, I'm going to rock you."

On the ground, the incident caused frantic scenes as security guards shone a torch in the man's face and tried to persuade him to come down.

Police cars arrived at the scene, as did two ambulances and a pair of fire engines along with a hydraulic ladder.

Today, police said they had arrested the man and were trying to trace his accomplices.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 4.45am to a man who had climbed onto the water tower near Blaine's box. The Fire Brigade and ourselves were monitoring the situation.

"The man threw water bottles and other objects from the tower and tried to cut through the cord connected to the tower but without success. He came down of his own accord at 5.18am. A man in his forties was arrested for criminal damage and was taken to a south London police station."

The attacker and his accomplices arrived in a white van in a nearby street and while two of them distracted guards, the third used a ladder to scale a fence and make his way towards the water tower.

The repeated tugging of vital mooring ropes caused 30-year-old Blaine's makeshift home to swing violently.

The incident is the most dramatic attempt yet to disrupt Blaine's record attempt. Since he began his stunt he has suffered a barrage of abuse and mockery from people unimpressed by his self-imposed isolation.

Eggs have been thrown and he has been subjected to taunts. Other people have bared their breasts or bottoms, while at one stage he was even the target of a golf ball hit from Tower Bridge. Drums have been used to keep him awake at night and a magazine hired a helicopter to suspend a burger above his box in a move designed to increase his hunger pangs.

But others have been more welcoming, with one member of the audience playing chess on the ground while Blaine relayed his moves to him, and dozens gathering every day to shout their encouragement and pin good luck messages to the security fence.

Today's outburst provoked a groundswell of sympathy for the illusionist from worried onlookers who hurled a volley of abuse at the attacker.

However, a small faction of the crowd encouraged the protester but were quickly silenced by security guards. As yet there is no explanation for how the man, who is thought to have been in his thirties and was dressed in a striped white T-shirt and jeans, managed to reach the scaffolding tower.

Blaine's has 34 days to go until he can leave his cell where he only has a diary and a basic water supply for company.

[.cnI redruM]

Rediculous? You decide.

[dead]

The attacker and his accomplices arrived in a white van in a nearby street and while two of them distracted guards, the third used a ladder to scale a fence and make his way towards the water tower.

I’m going to go out on a limb and speculate that beer was involved.

[wideawake]

As yet there is no explanation for how the man, who is thought to have been in his thirties and was dressed in a striped white T-shirt and jeans, managed to reach the scaffolding tower.

How about this explanation: Blaine hired him to rejuvenate the sagging publicity for his boring stunt.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I don't know - the helicopter dangling the burger thing was pretty funny ;0)

[mhking]

There were some guys on Fark.com suggesting bombarding Blaine with beams from laser pointers, but nothing near as outlandish and potentially dangerous as this...

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[HOYA97]

ROFL, You made me spill water on my computer! ;-)

[mountaineer]

Today's outburst provoked a groundswell of sympathy for the illusionist from worried onlookers who hurled a volley of abuse at the attacker.

I'm guessing there's a large number of Londoners who just have absolutely nothing to do.

[freedomson]

I'll climb out on another limb and speculate that they were probably koran-i-mals.

[.cnI redruM]

Harvard University has a grant for you!!!

[.cnI redruM]

THink of it as "The Harry Potter Effect."

[Mo1]

OK .. I don't get it

Why are they going off the deep end because he's sitting in a box for 44 days??

[Phantom Lord]

As a magician, David Blaine is vastly overrated. His skills are mediocre at best. But he is one of the best in the business as self promotion, PR, and getting his face on TV.

[Squantos]

LOL........agree more like a ..."Hey watch this " after they had too many pints alert !.............. no it ain't nooooooooze just entertainment !

Stay Safe !

[el_chupacabra]

Attention Brits! Blaine is an "illusionist"! He isn't really going to sit in that box for all that time without food. I'm sure he is watching a good bit of the media coverage from the comfort of some 5-star hotel room.

[Phantom Lord]

Blaine may be an "illusionist" in the loosest sense of the word, but he really is sitting in that box and will do so for the 44 days. Unless he fails in making it that long.

Just as his NYC stunt where he was in a block of ice for how many days I can not remember. He really was in that block of ice. And anyone could have done it. Its easy. You would think it would be very cold in there, but in reality it is pretty warm. If it wasn't warm, then igloos wouldn't have ever been used. But they are used, because they provide warmth!

[MalcolmS]

>>>the incident caused frantic scenes as security guards shone a torch in the man's face and tried to persuade him to come down. <<<

"Halt or I shall have to say halt again" alert!

[absinthe]

How about this explanation: Blaine hired him to rejuvenate the sagging publicity for his boring stunt.

My theory exactly!

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

As a magician, David Blaine is vastly overrated. His skills are mediocre at best. But he is one of the best in the business as self promotion, PR, and getting his face on TV.

True but that floating trick he does is pretty cool

[Phantom Lord]

Not is you knew how it was done. I have one word for you. Wires! Thats for the one where he gets well off the ground. The one where he gets just a little bit off the ground is a wonderful illusion and evokes great responses from the spectators. Its an effect I rarely perform as the situations and conditions I normally perform in do not allow for such an illusion to be done properly or effectively.

I, being a magician and member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians can not divulge how stuff is done, but I have no problem letting out a secret here or there when justified.