Despite elaborate preparation and success in getting his equipment thru building security and up to the 86th floor observatory, a parachutist yesterday had his stunt foiled moments before taking a plunge down to 34th street by quick acting security personnel and cops.
J. Ray Corliss IV had scaled the high inwardly curved safety fence in what witness' described as 'a single bound' and was ready to go when a burly security guard reached thru the fence and clamped his arms around one of the jumpers ankles, holding it tightly against the fence and preventing Corliss from completing his stunt.
Would-Be Empire State Jumper Foiled
It wouldn't be the first time that a daredevil had attempted such a stunt on a NYC skyscraper, but in this post 9/11 city ... sadly ... such feats no longer capture the imagination like they used to.
Although two past ones readily come to mind .......
The first occurred in 1974, when the (then) new World Trade Center towers were still getting their finishing touches. Tightrope walker, Philippe Petit, serreptitiously strung a cable between the two towers and walked/danced between them .... to the delight of the gathering crowds below, and even amusing some of the cops who were called in to "save this guy from killing himself".
The second occurred 3 years later, when 'human-fly' George Willig climbed the sheer vertical of the south tower from street level up to the very top! An experienced rock-climber, Willig utilized a special clamp which he designed himself ... tested and refined it on the tower in the dark of night during 'trial runs' ... before going for the big time climb on the morning of May 26 1977.
Unfortunately in this post 9/11 world, such stunts as Petit's and Willig's could probably never happen again, although Corliss came pretty darned close yesterday ... but back then in the 70's it brought a kinda whimsical wonderment and delight to a city (and Nation) which at the time was in the throes of being percieved as 'in decline', 'crime ridden', and 'ungovernable' .... Messers Petit and Willig changed all that perception (at least for a NY minute or two) with their respective daring acts :)
Here is a great link to some pictures of Petit's high-flying act and how he done it (!), as well as his own words on the Twin Tower's destruction
And of course I couldn't leave out the very first NYC skyscraper daredevil stunt ever captured on film!!! ....
Here's to the crazed free souls who chase a dream and make it happen ... brightening our dreary day-to-day lives and putting a smile on our faces :)
Cheers ta Ya Daredevils .........
MM
