The bridge has had its fair share of incidents since its opening. In 1952 a double decker bus was caught on the bridge while it was being raised. The driver made the bold choice to jump the few foot wide gap and made it, later receiving an award for bravery.
In 1968 the Royal Air Force was celebrating its 150 year anniversary when a pilot decided there was not enough spectacle. Without authorization, he flew his plane between the roadway and upper walkway, though he only intended to do a normal fly-by when he set out. Five years later another man flew a plane under the walkway while out on bail. The man later died when the aircraft failed.
Despite being an icon, the Tower Bridge is often mistaken for “London Bridge.” Tower Bridge is not falling down, however, though the current London Bridge is the next bridge upstream. There is an urban legend that says the man who bought the old London Bridge in 1968 thought he was purchasing the Tower Bridge, but both the purchaser and seller have directly denied this.
