Chris Bromham

Chris Bromham (born 20 July 1957 in Skewen), is a retired Welsh stunt man. Bromham is the current World Record holder of the motorbike jump obstacle record, having jumped over 18 double decker buses on 29 August 1983.

Biography

The youngest of seven born in the coal mining village of Skewen, Bromham was educated at Coed Ffranc Infant and Junior School, and then Dwr-Y-Felin School. Having found his talent with motorbiks, he took a series of jobs while honing his skills, including delivery work at the Co-op and surface work with the National Coal Board.^[1]

Career

Having been inspired by the 1970s exploits of American Evel Knievel, Bromham found a talent for riding and jumping motorbikes, and trained himself part-time to became a stunt man. His first public performance was in 1977, performing at the Clovelly Art Festival in Devon,^[2] which lead to a dual career as both stunt man and show performer. His first major film appearance was in 1979's Riding High, doubling for two characters in performing leaps and crashes.

In 1981, Bromham gained his first world record, jumping 28 cars at Swansea Airport to achieve the world obstacle record, in a well publicised event attended by 30,000 people. During the winter of 1981, Bromham was offered a tour of New Zealand. Following return to the UK in 1982, he planned his second world record attempt, where on 29 August 1983 at Bromley, Kent he broke two world record: the world distance record of 208 feet, and the world obstacle record of 18 double decker buses.

In 1984 Bromham worked on the Street Hawk bike after which he attempted another world record. Following its failure, he practised further and on 31 August 1986 secured two more World Records by jumping 20 lorries and extending the world distance record to 241 feet at the Royal Victoria Dock, London. Having been married to New Zealander Donna since 1977, Bromham undertook an 11month tour of the country in 1987. Bromham returned to the UK in 1988, and out-jumped Evil Knievel’s previous record when he cleared 14 single deck buses, which he performed in the guise of Cy-Clone, a robot character devised by Bromham and Mike Young, the creator of children's cartoon character SuperTed.

On the 16th November 1988 Donna gave birth to their first Daughter, Natalie.

Over the next few years Chris continued to tour with his stunt show, which included a tour of the Isle of Man. A further record attempt fell foul of the weather and was rained off at Swansea Airport.

26th July 1991 brought the birth of their second daughter, Natasha. In 1992 Chris’s highflying career was about to crash land when tragedy struck, but surprisingly it was not Chris that was the victim. They had just begun a tour of Scotland; the first show in New Deer had gone well and they moved on to Nairn near Inverness where Chris’s second show also went well. After the show the world collapsed. Donna was struck down by the Road Safety Officer in a bizarre accident and despite the efforts of the medical staff of Inverness’s Ragmore Hospital Donna died two days later on July 21st 1992, the day after Chris’ 35th birthday.

After her death at the Ragmore Hospital, Inverness, Bromham retired from all work to concentrate on raising his two young daughters Natalie and Natasha Bromham and teenage son Shane Bromham.

The loss of his wife effectively put a stop to Chris’s career as he struggled to cope not only with her death but also with raising three children alone. Bromham re-launched his career on August 13, 1995 when he made an unsuccessful attempt over 21 lorries. His final jump was in 1997, when he successfully equalled his own world record and cleared 20 lorries.

On August 7th 1997 Chris and his fiancée Anna-Marie were married and remain close, loyal partners.

During a twenty year period Chris Bromham displayed an exceptional drive and determination, which has asserted him as one of the great motorbike jump riders of all time. He has undoubtedly left his mark in the record books and has never buckled, even in the face of tragedy.

Chris still owns a range of motor bikes but now prefers to keep his wheels on the ground, although deep inside there is still an undeniable urge to fly.

Personal life

Following his 1981 tour, Bromham met his first wife Donna. Married on 8 August 1983, the couple have two daughters, Natasha and Natalie, who joined Chris's son Shane. Donna was killed in a car accident on 19 July 1992. Bromham married his current wife Anna-Marie on August 7, 1997; the family live in Swansea.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Chrim Bromham - Biography". Chris Bromham. http://www.chrisbromham.co.uk/biography.php. Retrieved 2008-08-28. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Chrim Bromham - about me". Chris Bormham. http://www.chrisbromham.co.uk/history.php. Retrieved 2008-08-28. 

External links

• Chris Bromham - official home page

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Name	Bromham, Chris
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Date of birth	20 July 1957
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