Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is without doubt the most famous bridge in the world. It was built across the Thames in 1877. And, every time a large ship wishes to pass, the bridge has to be opened. And, in 1952 there was almost a disaster!

A London bus was crossing the bridge. The red double decker was near the centre when the bridge began to go up. A ship was on her way to the sea! But the driver was quicker than the bridge!

Instead of braking, he drove faster and the bus jumped the gap. No one was injured, but, the bus was badly damaged.

And the driver? The Queen awarded him a medal. He had saved many people's lives. The driver had become. a national hero.

It was a long time ago when a bus flew over a bridge in the middle of London.

Vocabulary

almost – fast

awarded - verlieh

braking - bremsen

centre – Mitte

crossing – überqueren

damaged – beschädigt

double decker – Doppeldecker

drove – fuhr (drive/drove/driven)

famous – berühmt

gap - Spalt

injured – verletzt (injure/injured/injured)

instead – statt

large – groß

life/lives - Leben

saved – rettete (save/saved/saved)

Queen – Königen

Without doubt – ohne Zweifel

Questions

Where is Tower Bridge?

When was it built?

When was there almost a disaster?

What happened?

How many people were injured?

What did the Queen give the bus driver?

Was the bus damaged?