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29 March 2024

Man rides Ferris wheel for 48 hours to set new world record

Published

A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days - 384 times, up and around - bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.

"I thought Chicago should have that title," Clinton Shepherd said after finishing his record-breaking ride on Sunday. Shepherd, the park operations manager, spent 48 hours, 8 minutes and 25 seconds riding Navy Pier's Ferris wheel over the weekend.

The first Ferris wheel was built in 1893 in Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition.

Guinness World Records allowed him to have one five-minute break each hour. He played hours of videogames to stay awake during the ride, and watched James Bond and Batman movies. His gondola on the wheel was specially outfitted with a big-screen TV, cushions and curtains.

Supporters followed him on Twitter. A video camera recorded the feat while volunteer timekeepers documented Shepherd's activities.

Fans could join Shepherd for a spin by making a donation to the USO. Shepherd's girlfriend rode with him Saturday for a candlelight anniversary dinner with food from a Chicago restaurant owned by Michael Jordan.

The 32-year-old Shepherd called his adventure "a very overwhelming experience" that was made easier by the support of friends, family and the city of Chicago.

"I was thrilled and honored to be able to have all the love and support I did," Shepherd said.

The previous record was 30 hours and 35 seconds. Shepherd said he didn't want to simply beat the record, "I wanted to shatter it."

"It was little rough at about three in the morning, but the more I kept busy, the better," Shepherd said.

He said his legs felt wobbly after the ride.

Gandhi blood sample up for auction in London

Two microscope slides bearing the blood of former Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi are to go on sale in London on Tuesday and are expected to fetch from 10,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds ($15,200-$22,800).

The slides were obtained in 1924 when the father of the Indian independence movement was recovering from an appendectomy near Mumbai. He was thought to have donated the blood to the family he was staying with at the time.

"To Gandhi devotees, it has the same status as a sacred relic to a Christian," said Richard Westwood-Brookes, a historical documents expert at Mullock's auctioneers which is selling the item.

"It is an artefact which is revered by disciples of Gandhi, particularly in India and therefore that is the sort of person who would go for it," he added.

The slides are part of a larger collection of items obtained by Mullock's, which include the former leader's sandals, shawl and bed linen.

Demand for Gandhi memorabilia has been steadily growing since Mullock's sold soil samples and blades of bloody grass purportedly from the spot where Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, for 10,000 pounds ($15,200) last year.

Man survives being dragged 4 miles by car

Police say a car dragged a man for about 4 miles before another motorist alerted the driver that the victim was under the vehicle.

The accident occurred on Richmond Road in James City County.

Police tell media outlets that the 31-year-old victim and the driver were racing when the victim lost control of his car. The vehicle hydroplaned, spun several times and hit a tree. The victim was ejected.

The other car ran over the man and dragged him. The driver told police he thought he had run over debris from the wreck.

Police say the victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. Two passengers in his car, an 8-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, suffered non-life threatening injuries.

No charges have been filed.