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A stuntman has died in a world record attempt to cross a river by zip-wire attached only by his hair.

Sailendra Nath Roy, 50, was halfway across when his ponytail got stuck.

After hanging in mid-air for half an hour, it is believed he then suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

A crowd of around 1,000 witnessed the tragedy as Mr Roy, an officer with West Bengal police home guard, made his record attempt over the Teesta River in Darjeeling.

He tried to free himself then attempted to continue the crossing using his hands.

Onlookers said they initially failed to realise he was in trouble because of the cheers coming from the crowd.

But they screamed in horror once they realised he was in difficulty.

Police said he was hanging for nearly 45 minutes before he was brought down.

He was taken to hospital but declared dead on arrival.

(Image: Getty)

Mr Roy, who already held the Guinness world record for the farthest distance travelled on a zip-wire using his hair (270ft) had set up the 600ft line from the Coronation Bridge, 70ft above the river.

Balai Sutradhar, a photographer covering the event, said: “He was desperately trying to move forward.

"He was trying to scream out some instruction, but no one could follow what he was saying.

"After struggling for 30 minutes he became still.”

Mr Roy made headlines last year by pulling a 42-ton train 2.5 metres with his ponytail.

He held several world records for pulling vehicles with his hair.

A friend, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “His wife used to urge him to quit doing dangerous stunts.

“Mr Roy convinced her that crossing the Teesta River would be his last...”