A naked daredevil who stunned New Yorkers by climbing to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge and plunging into the East River has now been arrested, police said.
Galymzhan Abaildayev, 44, allegedly scaled the iconic bridge Sunday afternoon while carrying a backpack and two flags, triggering a massive police response as horrified onlookers watched from below.
After reaching the bridge’s north tower, Abaildayev reportedly displayed the flags before stripping off his clothes in full public view.
Then came the jaw-dropping finale.
Abaildayev leaped from the historic bridge tower and crashed into the East River — miraculously surviving the terrifying fall.
NYPD harbor officers rushed to the scene and pulled him from the water. He was transported to a New York City hospital in stable condition.
Police said Abaildayev was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, public lewdness, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and graffiti.
It was not immediately clear whether he had hired an attorney.
Officers were first called to the 143-year-old bridge after receiving reports that a man with a backpack was climbing the landmark.
The Brooklyn Bridge has approximately 135 feet of clearance above the water at its center. The massive stone towers rise roughly 272 feet, according to a company that previously worked on the bridge’s restoration.
Authorities have not revealed what was written or displayed on the two flags Abaildayev carried during the bizarre stunt.
Despite the dangerous climb, public striptease and stomach-churning plunge, Abaildayev somehow walked away alive — though he is now facing a long list of criminal charges.
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