World's first ever bungee jumper David Kirke dies

[Blackleaf]

World's first ever bungee jumper David Kirke dies​

Wednesday 25th October 2023
BBC News
By Harriet Robinson & Alex Howick


David Kirke performing the world's first bungee jump in 1979

The man who performed the world's first ever bungee jump has died aged 78.

David Kirke and his friends jumped off Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on 1 April 1979, after he was inspired by a ritual carried out on Vanuatu in the South Pacific.

His pioneering concept quickly took off, inspiring thrill-seekers around the world.

Mr Kirke's family described him as "a free spirit" who "would never have changed the life he led".

"He had, and needed, an iron constitution, led from the front and went where many feared to tread. He will be much missed," they added.

David Kirke pioneered the bungee jump

Mr Kirke, one of the pioneers of Oxford's Dangerous Sports Club, was the first to jump off the 245ft (76m) bridge. He did it wearing a top hat and tails and holding a bottle of champagne.

He was swiftly followed by his teammates.

The four were hauled back up by friends, arrested by police and later given a warning.

Bungee jumping from the suspension bridge has since been banned under by-laws.

David Kirke's family said he had an "iron constitution" and enjoyed a glass of wine

Mr Kirke later said jumping from Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 150-year-old structure was an "almost beatific moment".

He said the "real reward", though, was that his invention had made people he would never meet happy and had "given them fun".

Following the stunt in 1979, the Dangerous Sports Club went on to perform jumps from structures like the Golden Gate Bridge in California, spreading the concept worldwide.


Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol

By 1982, they were jumping from mobile cranes and hot air balloons.

Mr Kirke's family added he had "a kind and generous nature" and "loved the life he led, made friends in more than 40 countries, enjoyed a glass of wine and would never have changed the life he led".

World's first ever bungee jumper David Kirke dies

David Kirke performed the world's first bungee jump in a top hat and tails, holding a bottle of bubbly.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

He might yet bounce back.

 

[Blackleaf]

He might yet bounce back.

Yeah. The type of comment I've come to expect from you.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Yeah. The type of comment I've come to expect from you.

You're so oppressed.

 

[Blackleaf]

Have you ever done a bungee?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Have you ever done a bungee?

A gentleman never tells.

 

[Blackleaf]

A gentleman never tells.

So that means you haven't done one. Coward.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

So that means you haven't done one. Coward.

Ever done an untethered parachute jump?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Of course, the Vanuatuans have been bungee jumping for centuries, but it's not "invented" until a White guy does it.

 

[Taxslave2]

White Brit. No one else has ever invented anything anywhere anytime.

 

[Blackleaf]

Ever done an untethered parachute jump?

No. I've never had the time. I work 12pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and then after work - after spending 8 hours driving (around a warehouse) I prefer drinking beer and playing multiplayer Cluedo on my phone or coming on here and talking to you. Weekends I just stay in bed till 3pm and then play Cluedo and drink beer. On Sunday evenings I binge watch my Quantum Leap boxset and drink beer while playing Cluedo. Otherwise I'd be jumping out of planes everyday. There's nothing to it. But there are more important things that need to be done. Like playing Cluedo.

 

[Blackleaf]

Of course, the Vanuatuans have been bungee jumping for centuries, but it's not "invented" until a White guy does it.

No. The Vanuatans invented the land dive, jumping from just 100ft or so. Then in 1979 the British invented the bungee jump - jumping from much greater heights. Vanuatu gained its independence from Britain in 1980. I wonder if they were annoyed about Kirke inventing bungee jumping the year before.