Man to jump from Transporter - century after great-great uncle died after jump from bridge

More than 100 years ago, a Middlesbrough man accepted a bet to become the first man to jump from the top of the Transporter Bridge.

Now a descendant of Daniel McAllister is following in his footsteps by diving from the top of the landmark.

But Dave Roberts is hoping that his escapade ends better - his great-great uncle died when he hit the River Tees after climbing the bridge for a sixpence bet with a drinking buddy.

Because Dave, an independent mayoral candidate for Middlesbrough, will be attached to a bungee rope when he takes the 160ft leap - and the only money he will collect will be for charity.

Dave, 50, said: “I have known about someone in our family history who was said to be the first person who jumped off the Transporter, but I didn’t know much else.

“But after a lot of research - and coming across a story in the Gazette from 1913 - I managed to find out I am Daniel’s great-great nephew.

“He was a bit of a black sheep in the family and nobody really talked about him.

“So a century later, to exorcise the ghost of my ancestor, I decided I would have a go as well. But I wanted to do it as a charity event, and make sure I’m on a bungee rope!”

Dave, who lives in Marton, has managed to track down Mr McAllister’s death certificate which listed him as a general labourer of Washington Street in Middlesbrough.

Dave Roberts' relative's death certificate

The cause of death on May 4, 1913, was listed as: “Shock and suffocation from drowning through jumping from the Transporter Bridge in a spirit of bravado whilst under the influence of drink.”

Former Teesside TV and radio presenter Dave, who was well-known to Teesside audiences as a radio commentator at Boro matches, moved back to England from a job in Singapore 18 months ago.

Daniel McAllister is said to have been challenged to jump off the bridge by a friend after drinking in a pub in Port Clarence in a bet worth a sixpence.

Now Dave is asking for Teessiders to stump up £2.50 - roughly what a sixpence would be worth today - to support him and raise money for the MFC Foundation.

Dave continued: “I am a huge Boro fan, so I am asking people to donate £2.50, or whatever they can afford, to the MFC Foundation which makes a huge contribution to children’s lives using the power of football to make a difference.”

Donations can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/1HC6Gs3.