Blaine fails to break underwater record in New York

NEW YORK, May 9 (Reuters) Stuntman David Blaine failed to break the world record for holding his breath underwater, falling nearly two minutes short of the record.

After Blaine spent seven minutes and 8 seconds underwater without any breathing apparatus yesterday, he blacked out and trainer Kirk Krack sent two divers into the tank to free him from shackles attached to his ankles.

According to the Web site for the ABC television network, which broadcast the stunt live, the world record for holding one's breath underwater is eight minutes, 58 seconds.

When he was lifted to the edge of an acrylic sphere where he lived underwater for a week, an emotional Blaine told the crowd: ''I am humbled so much by the support of everybody from New York City and from all over the world. This was a very difficult week, but you made it fly by with your strong spirit and your energy. I thank you all and I love you all.'' To prepare for the stunt, Blaine, 33, lived in the water-filled, 8-foot sphere for a week. ABC said he spent about 177 hours in the tank.

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