The Day the Bus Jumped Over London Bridge

Greetings, dear readers!

Have you ever imagined a bus flying through the air over the London Bridge? It sounds like a scene from a blockbuster film, but in 1952, this incredible event actually happened!

The hero of our story is Albert Gunter, a bus driver on his daily route across London Bridge. It was a foggy afternoon, and visibility was low. As Albert steered the Number 78 bus towards the bridge, he suddenly noticed something shocking—the bridge was lifting! Without warning, a malfunction had caused the bridge to open for a ship passing underneath. There was no time to stop. Albert had to make a split-second decision.

With a surge of adrenaline, he put his foot down, accelerating the bus as the gap between the rising bascules widened. In a heart-stopping moment, the front wheels of the bus left the ground, followed by the back. For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, the bus was airborne, sailing through the misty London air. Miraculously, it landed on the other side, with all ten passengers unharmed and Albert at the wheel, still gripping it with white-knuckled determination.

Albert Gunter became an instant folk hero. Londoners celebrated the daring jump, and he received a £10 reward for his bravery. The incident became a symbol of London’s indomitable spirit and a story still told in whispers along the River Thames.

So, the next time you cross a bridge, remember the day a London bus flew—and be thankful for solid ground beneath your feet!

Until next time, keep exploring the unexpected.

Warm regards,
Tarek
Editor, Britannia Blog