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Illusionist Rushed to Hospital After Botching Trick

Ilya Safronov performing the "Hook From the Eye" trick

Well-known Russian illusionist Ilya Safronov was rushed to a hospital Thursday after messing up a trick while recording a show for Ukrainian TV.

Safronov was performing a trick called "Hook From the Eye" with his brothers Sergei and Andrei for the "Ukraine of Wonders" show on the New Channel station, RIA-Novosti reported.

While recording in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopol, Ilya asked for the cameras to be switched off midway through the trick, in which the conjurer appears to swallow a razor-sharp hook.

His brothers initially intended to remove the hook from their brother themselves, but decided to call an ambulance instead.

"Doctors arrived on the scene within minutes. After a brief examination, they told the film crew that they would take Ilya to the regional hospital, where the illusionist would see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist," New Channel's press department told the news agency.

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