Back in September three men BASE jumped off One World Trade Center, the tallest building in America. (For those of you unfamiliar with BASE jumping, find out a little about it here.)
If not for video surveillance footage of their landing in front of the Goldman Sachs building, those involved may have never been caught. According to this NY Post article, the NYPD didn’t even know where the men had jumped from when they initially saw the footage.
After months of investigating the jump and hours after it was reported, the 4 men involved (3 jumpers and a lookout) turned themselves in to the police.
The men were charged with reckless endangerment, burglary, and BASE jumping in the incident. The criminal complaint says the landing created a “substantial risk of serious physical injury” to pedestrians and drivers below according to National Geographic.
I think that BASE jumping is pretty crazy and it’s definitely not something that I’d ever want to try. Then again, it’s not like I’ve ever tried skydiving which is a much less risky sport.
After hearing about this incident, I watched an incredible video of the BASE jump off of One World Trade. I have to say that I really enjoyed watching it and was really amazed by what these guys do.
When it comes to the charges being brought up against them, that’s a tough call. Did they pull an extremely dangerous stunt? Yes. Did anybody get hurt? No. Did they break the law by trespassing? Yes.
However this does show the vulnerability of one of the most important buildings in the country. Look how these guys got in and were able to make it to the 105th Floor without being stopped.
Just a few days before hearing about the Base jumping video, the big news was that a 16-year-old boy made his way to the top of One World Trade and climbed a ladder to the antenna before getting caught.
It makes you wonder just how secure the One World Trade Center work site really is.
Anyway, here is the amazing video of the guys BASE Jumping off One World Trade Center. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Why is it a tough call?? They broke the law and should be punished accordingly.
The law is in place to create order and to create a deterent for people thinking of engaging in dangerous behavior that has the potential to hurt others. If we only prosecuted BASE jumpers that hurt others then there would be no reason not to BASE jump as I am sure every jumper believes that they will not hurt anyone.
It’s just my opinion, can’t disagree with your agrument though.
Thanks again for being a loyal reader! 🙂