MiscalcuN8

Vancouver, British Columbia: October 28, 2002

A man was charged with criminal mischief on Monday after he attempted, unsuccessfully, to bungee jump from a Vancouver bridge to the deck of a passing cruise ship.

International man of mystery N8 miscalculated the ship's speed and suffered minor head injuries on Sunday when he bounced off its tennis court, volleyball net, and a deck railing, before being left dangling in mid-air as the ship sailed away, Vancouver Police said. He had fashioned his own bungee cord from dental floss and chewed bubble gum, authorities reported.

Police said the enigmatic N8 had planned to bungee jump from the Lions Gate Bridge, which spans the entrance to Vancouver harbor, stopping just above the passing ship so he could then lower himself a short distance to the deck. His on-board plans were not revealed; although it is reported that N8 likes a good game of shuffleboard.

"There were shrieks of horror from down below. I guess the people saw him coming, you know, on the ship. I guess he missed," witness Charles Finn told the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

After failing to land on the ship, N8 rappelled himself down to the water where he was rescued by a passing water taxi, which turned him over for arrest, according to police.

N8's motive remained unknown, although his past actions demonstrate his flair for the spectacular. N8 was released on bail on Monday on the condition he promise not to attempt any more jumps pending a trial. He quickly disappeared into the Canadian countryside and his whereabouts are, once again, unknown.

A police spokesman said they were taking the incident seriously because of the danger it posed. "The individual himself could have been killed," Det. Scott Driemel said. He concluded, "Where do these kooks come up with this stuff?"

Posted by Webmaster at October 28, 2002 11:51 PM