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 at a speed of 19 kph (12 mph), the light at the beginning of the bridge was green, the warning bell was not ringing, and the bridge gates were not closed, falsely indicating that it was safe to cross. As a result, the bus continued onto the bridge, approaching the edge of the south bascule as it started to rise.
At this point, Gunter made a split second decision to accelerate the 12,000 kg double decker bus over the 1.8m (6ft) gap instead of slowing down and potentially tumbling backwards. He managed to clear the gap and land on the north bascule which had not yet started to rise.
While there were no fatalities as a result of the jump, there was one major injury (the conductor broke his leg) and twelve minor injuries. 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".[5]
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!"[6]
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.
- ^ Courtney-Guy, Sam (25 December 2024). "The day a London bus jumped Tower Bridge to avoid disaster". Metro. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ^ Bell, Bethan (30 December 2024). "The man who 'jumped' a double-decker bus over Tower Bridge's gap". BBC News. Retrieved 31 May 2025.