US escape artist apologises to fans after almost drowning in front of them

A US escape artist whose limp body was pulled from the water after he nearly drowned in front of a horrified audience has apologised for scaring his fans.

Spencer Horsman was performing an underwater stunt on the street outside New Jersey’s State Theatre on Tuesday afternoon in a bid to drum up interest for his show later that evening when it all went terribly wrong.

Footage of the stunt shows Horsman wrapped in chains and locked in a glass cube filled with water.

The cube is then hoisted up by a crane and spun around as the magician methodically begins to free himself from the locks.

But after several minutes it becomes clear Horsman is struggling with the final lock and the cube is quickly lowered.

Crew rush to open the cage and pull the stuntman’s limp body out of the water.

Members of the audience look on grim-faced as medical staff attend to Horsman but break out in determined cheers as he is stretchered away.

Horsman was taken to hospital but later released and is expected to make a full recovery, the Ashby Park Press reports.

This is the second time Horsman has almost lost his life to the trick.

In April he fell unconscious inside the glass cube at Foxwoods Resort Casino in front of hundreds of fans.

In a tweet today Horsman defended his actions saying: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”

“Apologies again for the scare. Many thanks to all for the countless notes & messages of care, concern & support from my family, friends & fans,” he added.