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The famous underwater escape of Houdina, the greatest escape artist of all time, is to be re-enacted in the river Torridge at Bideford next month.

1975 Houdini escape at Bideford

As a feature of the water festival being organised by Bideford Round Table in aid of local charities, Karl Bartoni of Blackpool, will be locked in several pairs of police handcuffs, secured in ankle stocks and chains, put into a padlocked canvas mailbag and then into a weighted packing case before being lowered to the bottom of the river.
The stunt, which almost cost the life of the famous Houdini in the frozen Hudson River 40 years ago, nearly put an end to Karl Bartoni too, when he tried to emulate the feat in Blackpool in 1970. But sure that he has found the secret that made Houdini the legend he is today Karl, an experienced stunt man with many circus and outdoor feats to his credit, says he is looking forward to attempting the experiment.
It is a particularly dangerous stunt for him as he is a non-swimmer and as soon as he surfaces, divers will have to get him ashore.
Other attractions at the water festival include sponsored raft races, side shows and a display by the Paragliders, water skiers from London.

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