Towering conquest

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 8

Towering conquest

An acrobat wearing a red-and-bhie "Spider-Man” outfit conquered the world’s tallest building yesterday, climbing all the way up the sheer west face of the 443 m Sears Tower in a 7',2-hour exploit.

As hundreds watched from a Chicago street below, Daniel Goodwin, of Las Vegas. Nevada, was handcuffed and taken into custody as he reached the roof of the 1 Illstorey, steel-and-glass building after defying 64 km, h winds and the best efforts of the authorities to stop his ascent.

His family was surprised that Goodwin, aged 25, would try such a stunt, but said they were.not surprised that he accomplished it. Thev said he was married

to a casino dancer in Las Vegas and that the couple had a 5-year-old son.

Patrolman Jack Rimkus quoted Goodwin as saying he was "very happy and very grateful to he on top" and that he climbed the tower “because it’s the tallest building in the world.”

Officer Rimkus said Goodwin carried as much as 27kg of climbing equipment, including metal bindeis, suction cups and rope. He said Goodwin would stick one metal device into the exterior slots used for window-washing equipment and twist it until it was tight, then use it as a step. He would remove a secord device from helow, insert it

higher. and bit by bit move upward.

Goodwin also used windowledge clips with ropes attached to his body as a safety line. The suction y-ups were used also for attaching safety ropes to the building and for moving horizontally to evade a window washer’s scaffold that the authorities at first used to try to block his ascent.

The authorities finally gave up trying to stop him and struck a deal with Goodwin, allowing him to climb unhindered with the scaffold following closely behind as a kind of safety net.

The police said Goodwin, told them he was a professional acrobat and gymnast

and had performed recently in Las Vegas, where he bought the $4OO "Spider-Man” suit, resembling that worn by the Marvel Comics character whose 'lihility to cling to vertical surfaces gives him the power to run up walls and on ceilings.

Police Commander Robert Casey said Goodwin was being held for investigation of disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property.

Another man, James Hackett. aged 31, of Chicago, was held for investigation of disorderly conduct. Hackett said he was a friend of | Goodwin's and helped him | start the climb. i