WATCH ABOVE: YouTube user Epinerein posted this video of a man climbing cranes during sunset downtown Calgary.
CALGARY – A self-described “thrill seeker” has posted video of himself climbing cranes in downtown Calgary on YouTube, which has spurred a warning from police.
“The philosophy of not fearing death is a very powerful tool to have in life,” said 21-year-old Joseph McGuire, who can be seen climbing a crane in the video. He said he fell about 10 metres a few months ago, breaking an arm and injuring his shoulder and back.
READ MORE: 6 men arrested for climbing same construction crane in North Vancouver
On Labour Day, McGuire said he broke into a construction site downtown, taking his shoes off so as not to make noise that might alert the workers on site.
“I was trying to walk on the edge of the roof top where the metal bars are,” he said. “It was pretty hard because on one side, I could fall 100 metres to my death, and on this side it’s safe, so my instinct was really trying to lead me this way.”
McGuire climbed the crane over the city without a safety harness.
“I am still definitely scared of heights; it never gets old, right? Every time I climb up the crane I just say, ‘this never gets old.’ Still scary as always.”
McGuire said he tries not to think of the danger involved, and “enjoys the moment.”
Calgary police watched the video, and said it’s being investigated as a criminal offence.
“There is a section of the Criminal Code that we refer to as shop breaking and commit, and it can cover situations like this,” said Calgary Police Service Inspector Tom Hanson.
McGuire could face jail time, but says what he’s doing is harmless.
“When I go up there, I don’t do graffiti, I don’t steal, I don’t break anything, and I don’t put people in danger.”
But police said he is posing a real danger, and not just to himself.
“Members of the public—if he was to lose his footing and fall—there are people in proximity of where he lands,” said Hanson. “Not only is he going to kill himself but he could potentially kill some member of the public as well as anybody called upon to rescue him from the emergency services side of things if he gets himself in trouble up there.”
McGuire admits he’s a parent’s worst fear, but cautions people not to try his stunts.
“I let my mom watch my video and she cried. I felt really bad about that. I don’t show my dad my videos…maybe someday.”
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With files from Erika Tucker
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