djhenry Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in thenewsletter of the Australian equivalent of the Workers'Compensation board. This isa 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 inBlock 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the causeof my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust thefollowing details will be sufficient.I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was workingalone on the roof of a new six storey building. When I completed my work,I found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were found tobe slightly in excess of 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 135lbs. 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 equal, impressive speed.This explained the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of 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 50 lbs. 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 begin its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs. I hope this answers your inquiry." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alia_of_the_Knife Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 One word: OUCH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duneguy Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 I am so so so so so sorry for that UNLUCKY aussie.. i feel super lucky... and smart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert_Eagle25 Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 thats gonna leave a mark.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duneguy Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 *Flashes back into NORMANDY* MEDIC MEDIC... SOMEBODY GET THIS MAN A DOCTOR... HE MAY BE INJURED... MEDIC.. WHERE THE HELL IS THE MEDIC!?!?!*resumes his normal life*.. hrmmm, sorry about that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert_Eagle25 Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 *stares without blinking for about 10 min*weird..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timsvs Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 lol....as a fellow aussie i'm embarrased...however it's a pretty funny story hehehe :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner154 Posted June 28, 2002 Share Posted June 28, 2002 I'm lazy to read long posts...Why don't you summarize this thing and tell me what this is all about, mmmmkay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acriku Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 An aussie has excess bricks, so he tried to get the bricks down using a rope down the side of the building with the bricks in a crate. He tied it to something, but when he untied it to lower it down it was so heavy he flew over the building and then some ouchy stuff happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunseng_Harkonnen Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 When it happened? `Cos I heard it some time ago with all details. Yah, at first I was laughin but then I heard what happened with him and I stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nampigai Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 aussie, australian for stupid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_snowman Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Jeepers,thats funny but its sad.poor guy.that was kinda stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel71 Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Where's the "Doc" when u need him ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunseng_Harkonnen Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 They showed it today on Reality TV again. They said the guy survived but he had a lot of broken bones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic-worm Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 I've just been visiting the Darwin Awards site,All i can say is "don't those Aussies EVER learn".There is the same story,except that THIS australian bricklayer had to get 300lbs of tools down from an 8 story building!Next time i visit OZ i'll wear a hard hat..lol ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_snowman Posted July 1, 2002 Share Posted July 1, 2002 the darwin awards web site is really funny.those people are such idiots. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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