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US daredevil Evel Knievel dies | US daredevil Evel Knievel dies |
(30 minutes later) | |
Legendary US daredevil Evel Knievel has died at the age of 69, his granddaughter has said. | Legendary US daredevil Evel Knievel has died at the age of 69, his granddaughter has said. |
Knievel had suffered ill-health, including diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis - an incurable lung condition - for several years. | Knievel had suffered ill-health, including diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis - an incurable lung condition - for several years. |
He underwent a liver transplant, after nearly dying of hepatitis C, in 1999. | He underwent a liver transplant, after nearly dying of hepatitis C, in 1999. |
Knievel gained cult status performing death-defying stunts in the 1960s and 70s, including an attempted motorcycle jump over Snake River Canyon in Idaho. | Knievel gained cult status performing death-defying stunts in the 1960s and 70s, including an attempted motorcycle jump over Snake River Canyon in Idaho. |
Rocket-powered bike | |
He regularly drew huge crowds when he attempted to jump over rows of parked vehicles with his motorbike. | He regularly drew huge crowds when he attempted to jump over rows of parked vehicles with his motorbike. |
"They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel once said. | |
In one famous incident in 1968, he attempted to jump over the fountains at the Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas. | |
The resulting crash put him in a coma for 29 days, but brought him a large amount of publicity. | |
His 1974 attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a rocket-powered bike also failed, when a parachute opened prematurely and he fell into the river. | |
By the time he retired in 1980 Knievel had broken nearly 40 bones. | By the time he retired in 1980 Knievel had broken nearly 40 bones. |