Cunning commuter beats flash floods and sails past London bus on a LILO after getting stuck in traffic
The RAF chef was challenged to carry out the idea he first suggested as a joke while stuck in traffic
A PRANKSTER beat the flash floods which brought London roads to a standstill last week by sailing past stationary traffic on an inflatable lilo.
James Knowles, from Hillingdon in West London, was stuck in the traffic with his two friends and mentioned the idea as a joke.
They immediately egged him on and bet him £30 he would not go through with the plan.
The 21-year-old accepted the challenge and the group went to Tesco to purchase a lilo and a pair of swimming armbands.
After he blew up the inflatable pool lounger and clambered on board he floated down the streets.
By chance the RAF chef glided past a bus which his friend was sitting in, and a video of the stunt was filmed.
Keith Reilly, 17, said: "Stuff like that doesn't really happen all that often around here. It was a hilarious shock and it cheered everyone's day up given how miserable it was outside.
"I thought it was a randomer at first as it was hard to recognise who it was when he came floating past.
"It was when he turned around to look at the back of the bus that I realised it was James, which made it even better and I couldn't stop laughing.
"James isn't like that normally. I only know him from a friend of a friend but when I've met him he's usually fairly chilled out and mellow.
"I'd definitely join James' army on lilos the next time the flash floods pour - it looked like a brilliant laugh and really good fun."
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James said of the adventure: "This is the first time I've ever done anything like this.
"I wouldn't say I'm a particularly mad character, I was just up for a laugh at the time.
"When I first said I was going to do it, my mates didn't believe me. They said they'd give me £30 if I did and I told them to turn back to Tesco straight away.
"I blew up the lilo in the middle of the car and it was hanging out of the window until I got out and got onto it. The swimming bands didn't fit around my arms, which was a shame because it would have made it better.
"I was on the lilo for about five to ten minutes and it was good fun. There was one point when I nearly came off when the water was shallow and I was dragged along for a short while, but I luckily kept my balance.
"I did it in the middle of rush hour traffic. As soon as I got on, loads of people got out of their cars and started filming.
"It was actually my friend who coincidentally shot the video as he was on a bus passing by. I put the video on a few groups online and before I knew it, it had gone viral.
"I still haven't had the £30 I'm owed yet - to be honest, I don't think they'll end up giving it to me.
"I'll definitely be doing it again the next time there are flash floods. My aim is to get a whole army of people riding lilos and wearing armbands down the streets of London. By the judge of the reaction, that won't be hard!"
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