A 20-year-old escape artist who wants to be the next Harry Houdini has performed his greatest death-defying feat ever, emerging unscathed after being handcuffed inside a burning car.
David Merlini performed the escape Thursday in Budapest. He said he models himself after Houdini, a native Hungarian who migrated to the United States. Houdini thrilled crowds with his improbable escapes until his death in 1926.Merlini was handcuffed to the steering wheel of a white Mercedes. The doors were shut, the car covered with jelly gasoline and set on fire as it was hoisted by a giant crane. It was dropped from 66 feet.
As firemen rushed to put it out, Merlini emerged, smiling and waving to the crowd. He wouldn't say how he survived.
"Can you keep a secret?" he asked.
"Yes," replied the master of ceremonies.
"So can I," Merlini said.