Albert Gunter
Albert Edward Gunter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 28 February 1906 St Luke Middlesex, England |
| Died | 1968 (aged 61–62) Islington, England |
Albert Edward Gunter (28 Feb 1906 – 1968[1]) was a London bus driver known for jumping Tower Bridge in his double decker bus.[2]
Albert Gunter was born on 28 February 1906 in St Luke Middlesex to Robert Henry Gunter and Priscilla Elizabeth Casbard.
Gunter also served during World War II.
Tower Bridge Jump
[edit]On 30 December 1952, Gunter was on his normal bus route in a number 78 double-decker bus only a couple weeks after the Great Smog of London had brought London to a standstill.
As Gunter approached Tower Bridge going 12 mph there was a green light at the beginning of the bridge to indicate it was safe to cross and there was not a ringing of the warning bell by the watchman and the gateman had not closed the gates to indicate the bridge was about to rise. as the bus approached the edge of the south bascule when it started to rise.
As Gunter felt the bridge starting to rise he made a split second decision to accelerate the bus instead of slowing down.
Gunter was able to clear the 1.8m (6ft) gap of the bridge in his 12,000 kilogram double decker bus and drop onto the north bascule which had not started to rise yet.
There was one major injury (the conductor broke his leg) and 12 minor injuries caused by the jump. The bus suspension was broken.[3]
Gunter was given a reward of £10 (£245.56 as of January 2025[4]) and a day off of work for his bravery when asked what he would do with the bonus, he said "five for me and five for the missus".
Gunter was later quoted saying "I'd always wanted to jump the bus over the gap! And I got a day off and a tenner for it, to boot!"
References
[edit]- ^ "Albert Edward Gunter - Ancestry®". www.ancestry.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ "The man who 'jumped' a double-decker bus over Tower Bridge's gap". BBC News. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ "The TIME Vault: January 12, 1953". TIME.com. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "Inflation calculator". www.bankofengland.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-24.