This is a bricklayer'* accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the an American Insurance Journal. This is a true story. Had this guy died, he'd have
received a Darwin Award for sure.

Dear Sir: "I am writing in response to your request for additional
information in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning"
as the cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I
trust the following details will be sufficient.

I was alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed
my work, I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed
later, were found to be slightly more than 500 lbs. Rather than carry the
bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley,
which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the
barrel out and loaded the bricks into it.Then I went down and untied the
rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.

You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form, that I weigh
135 lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I
lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless
to say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now
proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explains the
fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed
in section 3 of the accident report form.

Slowed down slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping
until the fingers on my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was
able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great
deal of pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit
the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.
Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed
approximately 50lbs.

I refer you again to my weight.

As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down the side of the
building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up.
This accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several
lacerations of my legs and lower body.

Here my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel
seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the
pile of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks,
in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind
and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel beginning its
journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.

I hope this answers your questions.

OUCH!

I just don't know what to say about that one. Yes, he should get honorable mention in the Darwin awards...even if he did survive.

didn't they re-enact this on the show Mythbusters?

I don't know. It was sent to me and made me laugh first thing on a Monday morning so I thought I would share it.

They sure did, i watched it lol, it took them like 5 tries to get it to actually work, the barrel would not break either lol