Criss Angel escapes from imploded hotel Print E-mail
CLEARWATER — Las Vegas illusionist Criss Angel pulled off an elaborate escape from a beach hotel moments before its demolition Wednesday night, first scaring, and then pleasing, tens of thousands of fans on hand. The stunt, televised live internationally, began with Angel shackled to the sixth floor balcony of the nine-story Spyglass Resort. It ended more than four minutes later with Angel emerging, looking dazed, from the rubble that had been the hotel. Angel had been expected to escape via a ladder dangling from a helicopter that hovered over the hotel's roof until 30 seconds before the demolition.

"I had a contingency, I'm not a fool," Angel, 40, told reporters shortly after the stunt. He refused to say if the outcome was the original plan all along. "I'm very methodical in what I do."

Advanced Explosives Demolition (AED) explosive engineer Eric J Kelly performed the implosion perfectly. There was no damage to any of the neighboring buildings and the rubble barely exceed the footprint of the Spyglass structure. Cross Construction Services of Tampa, FL performed the pre blast preparation and will be clearing the site.

“It was a real challenge to coordinate this implosion with an international live television audience. Criss Angel, his Mindfreak team and the A&E production staff were very professional in maintain the AED standards of safety.”

AED’s Mark Wilburn and Mindfreak’s Jennifer Hutchins spent over six months coordinating the event. AED would like to thank everyone from the City of Clearwater, Cross Construction Services, Chris Angel & Mindfreak staff and A&E for their cooperation and professionalism. AED really had a blast!!
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

Popular

Newsflash

People are still amazed...

"On behalf of St. Lucy's parishioners and in my own name, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the magnificent work you did in the demolition of Columbus Homes. It was a perfect job. We are not accustomed to such a professional conduct. People are still amazed at how smoothly everything went. So many were concerned about the safety of the Church. They were extremely happy to hear that the statues did not move and windows and walls did not crack in this 102 year old church, only 50' from the implosion."

Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Granato
Pastor, St. Lucy’s Parish