06-17-2019, 03:55 PM
Update: Indian stuntman who was lowered into the river while tied up is feared dead as first images of the stunt emerge (Photos)
![[Image: 5d07753743586.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5d07753743586.jpg)
Authorities in India believe the stuntman who went missing after being lowered into a river while tied up with chains and ropes in a Houdini-inspired stunt is feared drowned.
40-year-old Chanchal Lahiri, known by his stage name 'Jadugar Mandrake' (Wizard Mandrake), was lowered into the river by a crane on Sunday as family members, media and police watched on.
![[Image: 5d07754a77d76.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5d07754a77d76.jpg)
Before his trick, he said: 'If I can free myself it will be magic, if I cannot it will be tragic.' But the 40-year-old failed to emerge from the water, sparking an immediate search by authorities.
Rescue workers have been scouring the fast-flowing murky waters since Sunday but he is yet to be found, said Syed Waquar Raza of the river traffic police.
'We fear he drowned in the river,' he said.
![[Image: 5d07759ea5776.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5d07759ea5776.jpg)
21 years ago, Lahiri successfully pulled off a similar stunt at the same venue. He was locked inside a bulletproof glass box and tied with a chain.
During the stunt, he was dropped from Howrah bridge, but managed to come out in seconds, according to reports.
'I was inside a bulletproof glass box tied with chain and locks and dropped down from Howrah bridge. Then I came out within 29 seconds,' he told AFP.
![[Image: 5d0775709a1ce.jpg]](https://alexis.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/5d0775709a1ce.jpg)
When Lahiri tried another stunt at the river in 2013, he was assaulted by onlookers who saw him escape from a locked cage via a door that was clearly visible, Daily Mail reported.
According to the publication, he was beaten and punched and his long flowing golden-brown wig was pulled off by the crowd.
![[Image: icon_share.png]](https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/images/icon_share.png)