11:00 - 20 January 2004
A MAN who suffered severe burns after throwing himself off a bridge and setting himself alight as part of a stunt that went wrong was in a stable condition in hospital today.
People walking near the Clifton Suspension Bridge on Sunday afternoon watched the man, in his 20s, launch himself over the bridge's barrier - put up to deter suicides - on a bungee rope.
It is understood that as part of the stunt, he poured petrol on to the surface of the water and set fire to it.
But as he bounced off the water, his body became engulfed in flames.
The man is believed to have carried out the jump before as part of an "extreme sports" stunt but on this occasion he was unable to cut himself free immediately.
Witnesses reported hearing screams before he plunged into the water 26 seconds later.
The man then swam to shore, and was driven off in a van, parked nearby, with at least two other people inside.
People nearby also reported seeing a man with long, black dreadlocks filming the incident.
The man, who has not been identified, is currently being treated at Frenchay Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit, for first degree burns.
It is thought he will remain there for the rest of the week.
James Pennink, who witnessed the incident, said: "You could see his face was charred black and his face and hands were turning red from the burns."
A MAN who suffered severe burns after throwing himself off a bridge and setting himself alight as part of a stunt that went wrong was in a stable condition in hospital today.
People walking near the Clifton Suspension Bridge on Sunday afternoon watched the man, in his 20s, launch himself over the bridge's barrier - put up to deter suicides - on a bungee rope.
It is understood that as part of the stunt, he poured petrol on to the surface of the water and set fire to it.
But as he bounced off the water, his body became engulfed in flames.
The man is believed to have carried out the jump before as part of an "extreme sports" stunt but on this occasion he was unable to cut himself free immediately.
Witnesses reported hearing screams before he plunged into the water 26 seconds later.
The man then swam to shore, and was driven off in a van, parked nearby, with at least two other people inside.
People nearby also reported seeing a man with long, black dreadlocks filming the incident.
The man, who has not been identified, is currently being treated at Frenchay Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit, for first degree burns.
It is thought he will remain there for the rest of the week.
James Pennink, who witnessed the incident, said: "You could see his face was charred black and his face and hands were turning red from the burns."
