By Chris Cosci

A few years ago, bungee jumping was the ultimate thrill for people seeking adventure. It was the quintessential activity for anyone who wanted to look cool while nearly killing themselves. It was also one of the earliest examples of "extreme" sports, the current trend for people with lots of life insurance. It isn't enough just to take part in an athletic activity anymore. Now, you have to be willing to put your life in danger and risk breaking bones, losing limbs, or causing internal bleeding. People seem determined to come up with the most thrilling and fear-inducing activity imaginable.

But lately, bungee jumping has taken a back seat to newer, riskier sports. What used to be considered dangerous and crazy now seems more like riding a tricycle on foam padding while wearing a helmet. Once considered an activity for only the bravest of souls, bungee jumping has turned into a fun-filled event for everybody: young people, old people, disabled people, toddlers, cocker spaniels, etc.

With the extreme sports revolution, it looked like the end of one of our greatest pastimes. But one man in British Columbia refuses to let bungee jumping disappear. William Dean Sullivan decided he would take bungee jumping to the next level by adding a new twist to enhance the thrill. He decided to jump from the Lions Gate Bridge, which spans the entrance to Vancouver Harbor. He would wait for a ship to approach the bridge, and then he would time his jump to stop above the passing ship, at which point he would rappel himself down to the deck and land with great fanfare. It shouldn't take you too long to figure out where this story is going.

A couple of weeks ago, Sullivan made his way to the bridge and prepared for his ground-breaking stunt. Sullivan watched as a cruise ship approached the bridge. His moment had arrived. Making some mental calculations, Sullivan waited for the right moment and made his leap of faith.

Although reports vary slightly, one thing is certain. Despite the number of laws Sullivan probably broke, Murphy's law was unbreakable. The result of Sullivan's attempt can best be described by Kate Hill, an eyewitness on the other side of the bridge, who turned around just in time to see Sullivan's grand departure:

"There were shrieks of horror from down below. I guess the people saw him coming, you know, on the ship. I guess he missed."

Good guess. According to initial reports, after diving off the bridge, Sullivan bounced off the ship's tennis courts and struck the stern railing. After recovering from the immediate shock, Sullivan dangled in mid-air before finally lowering himself down to the water below, where the police were waiting to place him under arrest.

By the time Sullivan was disconnected from the bridge, a whole flock of policemen, firefighters, and paramedics had flooded the scene. The police then reported that Sullivan was rappelling down to the ship and missed. Whatever the case, he only suffered a few minor head injuries because he was wearing a helmet. Of course, while the helmet may have saved his life, it didn't protect him from the law, as he is now facing charges of criminal mischief.

So, what possessed Sullivan to make such a daring jump? His friends claim that he's an aspiring stuntman. That may be so, but I think there's a deeper meaning behind his act. I think this was a desperate attempt to win back the respect of those who no longer see bungee jumping as an "extreme" activity. Somebody had to stand up for their belief and keep the dream alive. As long as it wasn't me.