Plunge off tower was a close call

Sir Richard Branson's plunge off the Palms' Fantasy Tower nearly went tragically wrong and the stunt coordinator says he's "being thrown under the bus" because no one listened to him.

Rich Hopkins, owner of Las Vegas-based Thrillseekers Unlimited, said he warned Branson not to throw complimentary airline tickets during the 100 mph descent Wednesday because it added a dangerous element to the descent. Momentum from his twisting action caused Branson, the British entrepreneur/adventurer, to slam into the exterior of the 407-foot tower.

Branson suffered minor scrapes and scratches in the close call. However, he told this reporter he was lucky he didn't go into the wall face first. Hopkins said he nearly called off the event because of 20 mph winds.

Hopkins said he finds it "disturbing that ALL of the BIG companies, Virgin, Ogilvy PR, The Palms, etc., put ME in a position for taking the fall."

When Branson arrived for the stunt, Hopkins said the Virgin Group founder and chairman had not been informed about what he was attempting.

He thought that he was doing a standard rappel," said Hopkins, who said he explained that it was going to be a high-speed free-fall descender stunt with a full-body harness.

Hopkins said he "strongly advised" Branson and his handlers that any jerking or sudden movements would endanger Branson at the speed he was falling.

Branson took two test drops without incident but turned down a third because "his people said he did not have the time," Hopkins said.

Angry that his reputation is at stake, Hopkins said he has asked Branson's PR firm to release a statement on "what happened. They have not."

He added, "I am being thrown under the bus."

THE SCENE AND HEARD.

Nine Bunnies from the Playboy Club will be signing copies of Playboy's November issue featuring their pictorial from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Palms sports and race book. They will host the launch of Sunday After Dark in the club at 10 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Britney Spears fanatic Chris Crocker, singing Spears' newest hit "Gimme More" on a stage outside Piranha nightclub. The 19-year-old Crocker, whose sobbing, melodramatic plea to "leave Britney alone" was a YouTube sensation, was the featured performer for the club's National Coming Out Day celebration. ... Television icons Hugh Downs, Monty Hall, Peter Marshall and Wink Martindale, being inducted into the new Game Show Hall of Fame at the Hilton Las Vegas on Saturday. ... Rock group Nickelback, including lead singer Chad Kroeger, dining Friday at Tao Asian Bistro (The Venetian). After dinner they headed to Tao nightclub.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Earlier this week, a judge sentenced Snoop to 160 hours of community service, which means he's going to be mowing the grass and picking up trash in the park. He specifically asked to work with grass." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.