Bungee jumping Zambia minister ‘proves’ stunt is safe
Zambia’s tourism minister Given Lubinda leaps from Africa’s Victoria Falls Bridge to reassure tourists about bungee safety a week after an Australian tourist’s cord snapped at the same spot.
Erin Lanworthy called her terrifying experience a “miracle” after her bungee cord snapped during the 111-metre (364-feet) leap into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River. She suffered only cuts and bruises in the accident on new year’s eve.
Local radio reports said that Zimbabwean authorities had suspended bungee jumping while investigators continued with their work.
But intrepid Given Lubinda, Zambia’s minister for tourism, has taken the plunge himself to prove the daring sport is safe in this spectacular location.
“I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t sure. I have done it because I am confident it is safe,” he said.
I decided that the world must use me as a guinea pig.Given Lubinda
“I didn’t want to use any other person as a guinea pig, I decided that the world must use me as a guinea pig and if I wanted to risk my life that means that it is safe, let everybody come and jump,” he added following his jump.
Last week’s video footage (see below) showed the moment towards the end of the jump that Langworthy’s cord snapped and hurled the 22-year-old into the river.
Langworthy had to dive under the water to unravel the rope bound around her feet as she entered the rapids. She was treated at a nearby clinic before being evacuated to South Africa where she is recovering.