An escapologist has revived plans for a spectacular “buried alive” charity stunt.

Linthwaite-based Antony Britton is again going to attempt his biggest and most dangerous challenge yet when he attempts to escape unaided after being handcuffed and buried without a casket under six tons of soil in a six foot grave in Slaithwaite Spa Park on Saturday September 5.

And in doing so, daredevil Antony hopes to better legendary stunt artist Houdini, who attempted but failed to dig his way fully out of a grave and narrowly escaped death in 1915.

Antony was due to undertake the stunt next to the Traveller’s Rest in Meltham in March but called off the event due to unexpected snowfall.

At the event, which he organised through his not for profit company Escape for Life, he will help raise money for Bloodwise, a charity which leads leukaemia and lymphoma research.

“It’s something that I’ve never attempted before– no one else has ever done it successfully but I thought I had to have a go with it being 100 years since Houdini’s attempt.

“Only he and another escapologist called Allan Allan, who tried to do it in 1949, have attempted it but both had to be dug out by their crews”, he said.

Antony Britton during a previous escape stunt
Antony Britton during a previous escape stunt

“The event has been 15 months in the planning and I’ve been doing a lot of running, breathing control and psychological training as well as working with doctors to prove I’m sane.

“But I can’t practise being buried alive because I can’t go digging up holes everywhere.I’ve just got an idea of how I’m going to do it in my head.”

Antony will be supported by a team.

“I’ve got eight people who will monitor the situation but they have been instructed to only start digging me out after 10 minutes.

“I’m hoping to do it in seven to eight minutes but it will hit danger time at six minutes because of the effect of the crushing soil.

“I hope to find enough air by digging air pockets but even then they will just be full of carbon dioxide which will make it hard - however, I think that I’ll be safe.”

Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini

Antony plans to attempt his stunt at 7pm, while other performers including nine live bands – will take part in the event from 1pm.

“We’re organising a fire walk, which people can enter into to raise money for their own charity, other escapologists, circus acts and more”, he said.

“It’s free entry but the more money we can raise the better.”

Lauren Fraser, the charity’s regional fundraising co-ordinator, said: “Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is changing its name to Bloodwise in September. Escape for Life will be one of the first major fundraising events to bear the charity’s new name.

“We’re excited and very grateful that Escape for Life will be supporting Bloodwise - it’s sure to raise a significant amount of money to help beat blood cancers. It’s also a great opportunity to raise awareness of our new name.”

For more information, search for Buried Alive Festival 2015 on Facebook.