Mohr, 93, breaks world record
Mariska Spoormaker, Die Burger
Port Elizabeth - His shoulders are bent from his 93 years, but a lion roars in his chest.
And, so loudly that George resident Mohr Keet became the world record-holder on Wednesday for the oldest man to do the world's highest bungee jump - 216m from the Bloukrans Bridge.
The height of the bridge spooked some of the members of the small group, but Keet was resolute.
Five years ago, when he was 88, he also jumped from the same bridge.
But, he wanted to do it again, he explained before his big jump, "to feel the fall, to feel I'm flying".
Because, he said, when he jumped the first time "I was too stressed to feel anything!"
He forgot the T-shirt
And, if it hadn't been for these nerves, he wouldn't have pitched up on Wednesday for his second big one.
The tradition of the Bloukrans bungee jump is that only those who have jumped can buy a particular T-shirt.
He had forgotten to buy this after his first jump.
But, his son-in-law, Ian Parsons in England, thought a man should get the T-shirt for such a jump, even if it was years later.
So, Parsons sent an e-mail to the Bloukrans people, asking if he could not buy it for his father-in-law.
Marketing manager Werner Botha replied they would post the T-shirt to Keet at George for free.
Keet got his T-shirt - and the Bloukrans Bridge called?
On Wednesday, he heeded the call.
Five! Four! Three! - and everyone held their breath for "oupa" - Two, Bungeeeeee!
And, away went Keet - at the age of 93.
His daughter Lucille Keet, and granddaughter Bridget Bischoff fell silent, looked at the monitor to see how he was getting on under the bridge.
30 years younger
But, he looked like an old hand at bungee-jumping, even had his arms folded across his chest during the last few jerks of the elastic.
Before long he was hoisted upwards again.
He was so exhilarated it was as if he had suddenly become 30 years younger.
"! I could feel myself falling! It was fantastic! One day I'll do it again!"
Something like that would not surprise Lucille in the least.
"He's been like that all his life - a huge spirit, free and independent."
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
South Africa Car Hire
What a kewl gramps. Now your turn - hire a car and go jump :-)
Click Click... Vroom, Vroom
