Tower Bridge
Built by John Gay in March 2026
On December 30 1952 a London double-decker bus famously ‘jumped’ a gap on Tower Bridge after the bridge’s bascules began rising while the vehicle was still crossing.
The Incident
The Route: Albert Gunter was driving the Route 78 bus from Shoreditch to Dulwich with approximately 20 passengers on board.
The Cause: Due to human error, a watchman failed to ring the warning bell or close the traffic gates before the bridge began to open.
The ‘Jump’: As the north bascule began to lift, Gunter realized he was too far along to stop safely. He made a split-second decision to accelerate, launching the bus across a gap estimated at 3 to 6 feet.
The Landing: The bus landed on the south bascule, which had not yet begun to rise. While the impact broke the bus’s suspension and caused minor injuries to several passengers and the conductor (who broke his leg), no one was killed.
Aftermath and Legacy
Reward: For his quick thinking, Albert Gunter was awarded a £10 bonus (roughly £350–£400 in 2026 value) and a single day off work. He famously stated he would split the money: “Five for me and five for the missus.”
Pop Culture: The event has been referenced in various media, including Spice World: The Movie (1997), where a similar jump is depicted using a model bus. It also inspired the children’s book The Tower Bridge Cat.
Safety Changes: Authorities reinforced safety measures at the bridge following the incident to ensure signals and gates would prevent future occurrences.
You can still ride the Route 78 bus across Tower Bridge today, though the modern bascule system is highly regulated to prevent such incidents.