YouTube prankster fined after filming group illegally scaling 510ft-high Humber Bridge
A ‘stunt performer’ from the Black Country took his work to new heights by climbing up one of the tallest bridges in Britain with no safety equipment.
Ryan Taylor, from Walsall, was fined £400 by magistrates after illegally scaling the 510ft-high Humber Bridge near Hull.
The 24-year-old filmed himself walking up cables to the top of the south tower of the structure as part of a group.
Once at the top, a laughing Taylor, who has almost 700,000 people subscribed to his YouTube channel, said: “We are living life on the edge.”
Caution: Video contains strong language
He swings on the cables, dangles his feet over the edge and waves his hands.
The video was posted following the incident on May 15 last year and has since been viewed 800,000 times. It is the latest stunt performed and uploaded onto the internet by Taylor.
Last year he rode a BMX off a diving board at Walsall’s Gala Baths for a video that has been watched more than one million times.
Other stunts include climbing Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Bridge, California, and hiding in a Toys R Us shop overnight.
He also broke into the Big Brother House in Boreham Wood this week.
The video of the climb up the Humber Bridge begins with Taylor, of Lichfield Road, discussing the challenge with friends before he drives them 400 miles to the location.
On arrival, as the sun comes up, he parks the car and walks onto the bridge before clambering up the cables.
It takes 15 minutes before the Taylor, leading the group, is at the top. He says: “This is one of the maddest missions I have ever done in my life.”
While on top members of the group notice cameras have spotted them before descending quickly to the car and driving away.
However, Taylor was unable to escape the Humber Bridge Board, which bought the prosecution against him at Hull Magistrates' Court last week.
Taylor, who was not in court, pleaded guilty to breaching Humber Bridge by-laws and was fined and ordered to pay £165 in costs.
Chief executive of the Humber Bridge, Dr Kevin Moore, said the board was now looking into the possibility of taking action against those who joined Taylor.
He said: “The fact that we prosecuted shows how seriously we take this offence – we’re pleased it was a heavy fine. We are looking at further court action where we can against others who were involved.”
Taylor is one of a number of stunt artists uploading their work to YouTube.
People can achieve online fame and sponsorship money by attracting followers.
In December, Jay Swingler, from Wolverhampton, cemented his head in a microwave for an internet prank. Sarah Williams, principal teacher at the University of Wolverhampton’s business school, studies the success of people who post on YouTube.
She said the art was becoming dangerous, with people going to new extremes to get viewers.
