Swindon escapologist looks for sponsor to back death defying world record strait-jacket escape

West Swindon showman Phil Walker is planning a stunt spectacular that Harry Houdini would have been up for.

Phil Walker from Toothill could be considered the maddest man on the planet. He wants to be trussed up in a strait-jacket and suspended at 13,000 feet from a hot air balloon by four steel cables, each with an explosive charge attached, timed to go off at thirty second intervals. Phil reckons he can free himself in under two minutes, tear away the remaining charge, don a parachute brought down by an assistant and float down to glory. If he does not make it, plummeting to a glorious end is assured.

Nobody has yet tried such an audacious world record and Phil has registered the proposal with Guinness World Records. Yet despite the fantastic media coverage the attempt would get, Phil's initial approaches to major sponsors have been met with little interest; even from companies connected with ballooning or extreme sports. But who knows where this swindonlink story might take him?

Phil is well known in Swindon and further afield for his magic shows, close up illusions, dressing up as Count Dracula and being a clown at children's parties. The Link has covered his activities since March 1995 when he and his wife, Heather, went into the entertainment business as Hemlock Productions. Now they put on corporate entertainment, cabaret events and appear at kid's parties.

Several years ago Phil discovered he can dislocate a shoulder to escape from a strait-jacket. People attending the Wiltshire Festival Party in the Park in 1999 will remember Phil freeing himself whilst suspended by a burning rope from a 100 foot crane, above.

He explained that his world record idea came when talking to British woman balloon record holder Lyndsey Muir. "Having trained as a parachutist with the Army and skydived as a hobby, it occurred to me that we could do something amazing; 13,000 feet is the highest you can go in a balloon without oxygen, so it would be a long-standing record.

"Some people think I'm nuts but the idea is entirely feasible. The project would be fully assessed for safety in the planning and execution. It's not in my interest or the sponsor's to fail. It really is frustrating that potential sponsors don't get it. Americans receive all the attention; there is no encouragement for British escapologists or magicians."

A further problem for Phil is he cannot do the stunt in the UK. The Civil Aviation Authority have refused permission because he would not be wearing a parachute, which is incompatible to getting out of a strait-jacket. He would have to go to the USA, Jordan or Switzerland.

"Obviously it's a risky proposition, but you need the element of danger to make it worthwhile doing" said Phil. Heather supports him, but still thinks it's a barking idea. "I'm not happy about it, but I'm confident he could do it," she said.

So, David Blaine eat your heart out, if you survive your box.

Phil and Heather on the October 1996 Link front page

Phil and Heather as children's entertainers Absolutely Amazing Magic