This year's runner-up on the Darwin contest:
> An insurance company asked for more
> information regarding a work-related accident claim. This
> was the response: "I put 'poor planning' as the cause of my
> accident. I am an amateur radio operator and was working on
> the top section of my new 80 foot tower. When I had
> completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course
> of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds
> of tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the
> materials down by hand, I decided to lower the items using a
> pulley. Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the
> top of the tower and loaded the tools into a small barrel.
> Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding
> it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300 pounds of
> tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident
> report that I weigh 155 pounds. Due to my surprise of being
> jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of
> mind and forgot to let go of the rope. I proceeded at a
> rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the
> vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming down.
> This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone.
> Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not
> stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two
> knuckles deep into the pulley. I regained my presence of
> mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain.
> At the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the
> ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the
> weight of the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20
> pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11.
> As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side
> of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met
> the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured
> ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The
> encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my
> injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools so only three
> vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that
> as I lay on the tools, in pain, unable to stand and watching
> the empty barrel 80 feet above me, I again lost my presence
> of mind and let go of the rope..."
Kim Nystrom
76? Spitfire 1500
FINLAND!
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