Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Evel Knievel had to coax Jay Sarno of Caesars to allow him to jump the fountain on December 31, 1967.  ABC 'Wide World of Sports' had no initial  interest in covering it live.  Knievel arranged to have it filmed by John  Derek using his own money.  John's wife Linda Evans was the actual camerawoman for the shoot.  The jump didn't go well after his Triumph cycle  seemed to have lost power as he accelerated up the ramp.  He landed short,  and lost his grip on the handlebars, resulting in a 29-day concussion/coma and multiple broken bones large and small.

Courtesy Frank Valeri

Evel Knievel had to coax Jay Sarno of Caesars to allow him to jump the fountain on December 31, 1967. ABC 'Wide World of Sports' had no initial interest in covering it live. Knievel arranged to have it filmed by John Derek using his own money. John's wife Linda Evans was the actual camerawoman for the shoot. The jump didn't go well after his Triumph cycle seemed to have lost power as he accelerated up the ramp. He landed short, and lost his grip on the handlebars, resulting in a 29-day concussion/coma and multiple broken bones large and small.