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Dangerous Dan dices with death as Eurostar train speeds past

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Base jumper Dangerous Dan's parachute begins to open. Picture: Peter Still
Base jumper Dangerous Dan's parachute begins to open. Picture: Peter Still

This video shows the first of two moments when a Kent daredevil - known only as Dangerous Dan - put his life at risk by throwing himself off the Channel Tunnel Rail Link bridge.

Our second video shows him actually taking the 110ft plunge.

~ Watch the death-defying leap and hear from the man himself >>>

Having watched these it may not surprise you his opponents have described his actions as nothing more than "irresponsible".

Had the Strood thrill-seeker touched the overhead 25,000 volt electrical cables - clearly visible in the video - he would have been killed immediately.

A spokesman from London and Continental Railways, which owns and manages the Medway section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, said: "I can't stress enough how irresponsible that person was.

"The dangers of trespassing are increased when you include high speed trains and the overhead electrical cables, which have 25,000 volts running through them, which had he touched during his jump would have meant instant death."

Roger Vincent, senior press officer for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "We've got nothing against people seeking thrills and enjoying themselves. What they shouldn't be doing is carrying out that type of activity in a way that may put other people in danger.

"Clearly if you are doing something like a base jump in view of a motorway that can be distracting for drivers it may lead to an accident. If you are doing it from a railway they are extremely dangerous places.

"Unfortunately train drivers have to cope with accidents involving pedestrians and trespassers and I think they would be horrified to see someone pulling a stunt like this in front of them."

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