Darcy Oake pulls off 'most death-defying' act to date at London's New Year's Day parade
Canadian illusionist Darcy Oake rang in 2016 with a "death-defying escape" at London's New Year's Day parade.
Winnipeg-born magician escapes from box locked around his head and filling with water
Canadian illusionist Darcy Oake rang in 2016 with a "death-defying escape" at London's New Year's Day parade.
- Winnipeg magician Darcy Oake wows Britain's Got Talent
- Winnipeg's Darcy Oake finishes Canadian tour in hometown at MTS Centre
Oake, who was born and raised in Winnipeg, pulled off what he calls "literally the most death-defying escape that I've ever done or ever attempted" at the end of the 30th annual parade, performing for hundreds of thousands of spectators in the U.K.
Before bringing to life the parade's theme — 30 years of magic — Oake explained how he would escape and avoid drowning.
'I have to hold my breath... or it could go horrendously wrong.'
His wrists were shackled and his head was locked in a glass box filled with water...
...then the contraption, with Oake locked inside it, was lifted for all to see.
He then had to pick three locks, all by feel.
All in, the escape took over two-and-a-half minutes...
...during which the crowd was quiet while Oake appeared to struggle.
Eventually, he managed to free himself and get a gasp of air.
Oake, 28, shot to stardom in the United Kingdom in the spring of 2014 when he impressed the judges and audience on the televised talent competition Britain's Got Talent, becoming the first illusionist to make it to the finals in the show's history.