> This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the
newsletter
> of the British equivalent of the Workers' Compensation Board.
>
> 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 am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working
alone
> on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I found
I
> had some bricks left over, which, when weighed later were found to be
> slightly in excess of 500lbs. 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
> equally impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor
abrasions
> the broken collarbone, 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 the excruciating pain I was now
> beginning to experience. 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 might 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 severe
> 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.
