Hungerford Handstand 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
A daredevil student was killed after he attempted to perform a handstand on the edge of Hungerford Bridge. Ho Yun Kim, 25, a language student from Bermondsey, was on his way home from a night out with friends when he attempted the stunt. Westminster Coroner's Court heard that Kim teetered and fell, plunging into the icy waters of the Thames. His friends rushed to save him, but he was swept away. His body was discovered under Chelsea Bridge the next morning. Coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded a verdict of misadventure.
That is verbatim what was written in "Time Out" a weekly listings magazine for Londoners. I would add only that Hungerford Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the Thames between Charing Cross and Waterloo stations. Below the level of the railway lines, but to the side of the bridge, is a pedestrian walkway for people who wish to walk across instead of take a train. It is not a particularly pretty bridge and the pedestrian part of it has a handrail of a good height. You can see over it but you couldn't accidentally fall, and it would take a fair effort to climb up onto it. It would actually be fairly tricky to chuck someone over the edge if they didn't want to go. Therefore, to attempt a handstand would require a lot of effort and a lot of confidence. Obviously more confidence than actual ability in this instance. Submitted on 03/26/2002
Submitted by:
wiggy
Reference:
Time Out, London, Feb 2002
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