Stuntman Robbie Knievel Crashes on World Record Jump Attempt

CERRITOS, Calif. (AP) _ Legendary stuntman Evel Knievel’s son attempted a world record motorcycle jump over 25 pickup trucks Saturday, but fell short and bounced off one of the vehicles, witnesses said.

Robbie Knievel, 29, was airborne over the line of trucks, but his motorcycle crashed atop the 22nd vehicle and the stunt artist was thrown to the ground. He was treated for abrasions to his buttocks at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and later released, said hospital spokesman Ron Yukelson.

The younger Knievel was attempting a hands-free jump over the pickup trucks about 4 p.m. with a crowd of several thousand people watching, said Jerry Dubbey, a sales representative at Moon Nissan, the automobile retailing center where the accident occurred during a promotional event.

Dubbey said Knievel was sliding out of control during his approach and failed to gain enough speed to complete the 180-foot jump.

The younger Knievel’s father made several famous jumps in the 1970s, including an ill-fated attempt to vault the Snake River Canyon Gorge in 1974. The elder Knievel was the subject of a 1971 movie about his exploits that starred George Hamilton.