This is a bricklayer's accident actual (verbatim) report, which was
> > > printed in the newsletter of the Australian  equivalent of the
> Workers'
> > > Compensation board. This is a true story. Had this bloke died, he'd
> have
> > > received a Darwin Award without question...
> > >
> > > 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 that I had some
> bricks
> > > left over which, when weighed later were found to be 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."
>