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The son of legendary stuntman Evel Knievel plans to outdo his father by completing a double-decker bus jump that almost ended his dad's career.

Robbie Knievel, 47, will attempt to jump over 16 buses at London's Wembley Stadium riding a Harley Davidson XR-750.

The original stunt, performed in 1975 in front of 90,000 fans, almost ended in disaster for Evel Knievel as his rear wheel clipped the last bus in the row and he somersaulted onto the ramp - with the bike landing on top of him - breaking his pelvis.

"Although my dad's jump ended with broken bones and a lot of pain, I'm confident he'll be smiling down on this one," Mr Knievel said.

"Daredevils are a dying breed. I'm proud to have been raised by one and to be one myself."

"I can never fill the shoes of my father because he was the greatest stunt guy in the world - the greatest daredevil," he said.

The senior Knievel, who died aged 69 in November 2007, made 300 jumps and was widely recognised as the world's most iconic stuntman before retiring in 1980.

His son shot to fame in 1989 by successfully jumping 150ft (45m) over the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

So far, Robbie has completed more than 350 professional jumps and broken 20 world records.

Mr Knievel said he was "looking forward" to his attempt at making the jump which narrowly defeated his father.

"Whether I make or miss it, at least I gave it a shot."


Source: BBC