Darwin Awards
- Thread starter #juan
- Start date
Having spent Friday night to Saturday morning at my mate's new three-floor terraced house in the lovely little market town of Darwen in Lancashire (or "Darren" as the inhabitants call it) - Gandhi visited the town in 1931 - and being told by him during our Friday night pub crawl around the town that Darweners each have three thumbs due to the fact that they are all interbred with each other and they all seem to know each other, I'm tempted to start a thread in which we can post pictures of inbreds and call it "The Darwen Awards 2014".
Ontario man killed cliff diving in Jamaica
QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:06 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:27 PM EDT
An Ontario man was killed while cliff-diving in Negril, Jamaica.
Taylor Rankine, 26, was with a group of friends when he dived into the sea and suffered severe injuries, the Jamaican Gleaner reported.
Rankine was taken to hospital where he died.
Competitors jump into the water during a cliff diving competition near the central Bohemian village of Hrimezdice August 2, 2013. REUTERS/David W Cerny
Ontario man killed cliff diving in Jamaica | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:06 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:27 PM EDT
An Ontario man was killed while cliff-diving in Negril, Jamaica.
Taylor Rankine, 26, was with a group of friends when he dived into the sea and suffered severe injuries, the Jamaican Gleaner reported.
Rankine was taken to hospital where he died.
Competitors jump into the water during a cliff diving competition near the central Bohemian village of Hrimezdice August 2, 2013. REUTERS/David W Cerny
Ontario man killed cliff diving in Jamaica | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
Man dies after jumping into bonfire at Utah festival
Jennifer Dobner, Reuters
First posted: Monday, July 14, 2014 07:51 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, July 14, 2014 08:00 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY - Police in Utah are investigating after a man killed himself by jumping into a 30-foot bonfire during an arts and culture festival on the weekend in the desert west of Salt Lake City, local media reported.
More than 1,000 people were watching as the man ran past safety barriers and leapt into the blaze on Saturday night at the Element 11 event, which has ties to the Burning Man festival held each year in northern Nevada.
The festivities include the construction of giant wooden models, which are then torched. Video taken by a spectator showed the man running into the flames, followed by screams and shrieks as onlookers took in what had happened.
Grantsville Police Lieutenant Steve Barrett told The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper that friends of the 30-year-old said he told him he planned to kill himself by running into the burning effigy, which was shaped like a character from the children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are."
He said security officers at the event, Grantsville firefighters, and individuals in the crowd had been unable to stop the man jumping in, nor rescue him after had.
Police did not respond to messages seeking comment. Neither did event organizers, but one told local broadcaster Fox13 that the festival would re-evaluate its security procedures following the incident.
Man dies after jumping into bonfire at Utah festival | Utah | World | News | Tor
Jennifer Dobner, Reuters
First posted: Monday, July 14, 2014 07:51 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, July 14, 2014 08:00 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY - Police in Utah are investigating after a man killed himself by jumping into a 30-foot bonfire during an arts and culture festival on the weekend in the desert west of Salt Lake City, local media reported.
More than 1,000 people were watching as the man ran past safety barriers and leapt into the blaze on Saturday night at the Element 11 event, which has ties to the Burning Man festival held each year in northern Nevada.
The festivities include the construction of giant wooden models, which are then torched. Video taken by a spectator showed the man running into the flames, followed by screams and shrieks as onlookers took in what had happened.
Grantsville Police Lieutenant Steve Barrett told The Salt Lake Tribune newspaper that friends of the 30-year-old said he told him he planned to kill himself by running into the burning effigy, which was shaped like a character from the children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are."
He said security officers at the event, Grantsville firefighters, and individuals in the crowd had been unable to stop the man jumping in, nor rescue him after had.
Police did not respond to messages seeking comment. Neither did event organizers, but one told local broadcaster Fox13 that the festival would re-evaluate its security procedures following the incident.
Man dies after jumping into bonfire at Utah festival | Utah | World | News | Tor
Mr Monger tried to create the rocket fuel after seeing instructions on YouTube on how to make it using basic household ingredients
Father copying YouTube rocket fuel recipe suffers severe burns when it explodes | Mail Online
Father copying YouTube rocket fuel recipe suffers severe burns when it explodes | Mail Online
Penn State student dies in fall from crane on campus
David DeKok, Reuters
First posted: Sunday, August 24, 2014 11:26 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2014 11:34 PM EDT
HARRISBURG - Authorities in Pennsylvania said Sunday they were trying to determine whether a freshman at Penn State University fell or jumped to his death from a crane on a construction site on the State College campus.
Jack Crean, 18, of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, landed on pavement after the late Saturday or early Sunday fall from the 85 foot (26 meter) crane, Centre County Deputy Coroner Judy Pleskonko said.
Crean was found dead around 11 a.m. local time Sunday by Penn State University Police.
"It's a sorrowful start to the academic year and our hearts go out to Jack's family and friends," University spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.
An autopsy was being performed Sunday to determine the cause of death. Results were not expected for 4-6 weeks, Pleskonko said.
Crean was due to begin his first classes Monday along with thousands of other incoming first-year students. Penn State's main campus has about 45,000 students, of whom about 35,000 are undergraduates.
Crean had just moved into a dormitory on the campus, Pleskonko said. His death does not appear suspicious and an investigation has been launched, she said.
Penn State student dies in fall from crane on campus | World | News | Toronto Su
David DeKok, Reuters
First posted: Sunday, August 24, 2014 11:26 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2014 11:34 PM EDT
HARRISBURG - Authorities in Pennsylvania said Sunday they were trying to determine whether a freshman at Penn State University fell or jumped to his death from a crane on a construction site on the State College campus.
Jack Crean, 18, of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, landed on pavement after the late Saturday or early Sunday fall from the 85 foot (26 meter) crane, Centre County Deputy Coroner Judy Pleskonko said.
Crean was found dead around 11 a.m. local time Sunday by Penn State University Police.
"It's a sorrowful start to the academic year and our hearts go out to Jack's family and friends," University spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.
An autopsy was being performed Sunday to determine the cause of death. Results were not expected for 4-6 weeks, Pleskonko said.
Crean was due to begin his first classes Monday along with thousands of other incoming first-year students. Penn State's main campus has about 45,000 students, of whom about 35,000 are undergraduates.
Crean had just moved into a dormitory on the campus, Pleskonko said. His death does not appear suspicious and an investigation has been launched, she said.
Penn State student dies in fall from crane on campus | World | News | Toronto Su
It would appear the onlypart of him that resembled a bird was the size of his brain.
U.K. teen dies after doing ice bucket challenge
QMI Agency
First posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:07 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:41 PM EDT
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge when he added a dangerous twist to it — jumping off a cliff into a quarry, the U.K. Telegraph reports.
It's believed 18-year-old Cameron Lancaster is the first death linked to the ice bucket challenge.
The ice bucket challenge has people dumping a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads and posting a video of it on online to raise awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. They then challenge others to take part.
The Telegraph reports Lancaster dumped the ice water on his head then jumped feet first into the shallow water of Prestonhill Quarry, which has 80-foot-high cliffs.
Police say it's common for young people to jump into the quarry, but have warned about the dangers.
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge because he jumped off a cliff at the Preston Hill Quarry in Inverkeithing, Fife into shallow water and drowned. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Stenhouse, Creative Commons Licence)
U.K. teen dies after doing ice bucket challenge | World | News | Toronto Sun
QMI Agency
First posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:07 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:41 PM EDT
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge when he added a dangerous twist to it — jumping off a cliff into a quarry, the U.K. Telegraph reports.
It's believed 18-year-old Cameron Lancaster is the first death linked to the ice bucket challenge.
The ice bucket challenge has people dumping a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads and posting a video of it on online to raise awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. They then challenge others to take part.
The Telegraph reports Lancaster dumped the ice water on his head then jumped feet first into the shallow water of Prestonhill Quarry, which has 80-foot-high cliffs.
Police say it's common for young people to jump into the quarry, but have warned about the dangers.
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge because he jumped off a cliff at the Preston Hill Quarry in Inverkeithing, Fife into shallow water and drowned. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Stenhouse, Creative Commons Licence)
U.K. teen dies after doing ice bucket challenge | World | News | Toronto Sun
U.K. teen dies after doing ice bucket challenge
QMI Agency
First posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:07 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 03:41 PM EDT
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge when he added a dangerous twist to it — jumping off a cliff into a quarry, the U.K. Telegraph reports.
It's believed 18-year-old Cameron Lancaster is the first death linked to the ice bucket challenge.
The ice bucket challenge has people dumping a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads and posting a video of it on online to raise awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. They then challenge others to take part.
The Telegraph reports Lancaster dumped the ice water on his head then jumped feet first into the shallow water of Prestonhill Quarry, which has 80-foot-high cliffs.
Police say it's common for young people to jump into the quarry, but have warned about the dangers.
A U.K. teen died shortly after completing the ice bucket challenge because he jumped off a cliff at the Preston Hill Quarry in Inverkeithing, Fife into shallow water and drowned. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Stenhouse, Creative Commons Licence)
U.K. teen dies after doing ice bucket challenge | World | News | Toronto Sun
Same issue as their navy, get them close to water they sink.
First-year university student killed in lightning strike
QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, September 05, 2014 12:03 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 05, 2014 08:37 PM EDT
Do you know the victim? Were you a witness? If so, we want to hear from you. Contact the Toronto Sun city desk at 416-947-2211 or by emaill at torsun.citydesk@sunmedia.ca
A first-year engineering student struck and killed by lightning while on the University of Waterloo campus Friday morning died while seeking shelter under a tree during the storm.
The 18-year-old woman, who is from Markham, was struck around 9 a.m. while standing under a patch of trees just outside a group of student residence buildings — one of which she had just moved into to start her first year of nanotechnology study, university officials said.
For a better part of the day, yellow police tape cordoned off that group of trees, as well as part of a walking path running through them.
“At the time of the storm the student went under a tree for temporary shelter,” said John Percy, public education officer with Waterloo Fire Rescue, adding that she was given emergency treatment at the scene before being rushed to Grand River Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
University president and vice-chancellor Feridun Hamdullahpur said the victim’s family has been notified but has decided to not release her name to the public.
Hamdullahpur said the “academically strong” student was struck during an “unexpected storm.”
The fact that she died during a “vibrant” orientation week designed for first-year students made it all the more tragic, he said.
When the fatal bolt struck, she was returning to her residence unit from somewhere else on campus, Hamdullahpur said.
University officials will also examine the incident to see if anything should be done differently in the future.
“As soon as we are able to review the accident report, and if there is anything we can do differently (we will), but right now our focus is on (the victim’s family and our students).”
A routine fire drill had taken place around the time the storm hit but that it was at another part of the campus and not connected to the incident, Hamdullahpur said.
When asked if students had been warned about Friday morning’s impending storm, associate provost of students Chris Read said, “The storm came on really quickly, we were expecting rain later in the day.”
Students who witnessed the tragedy called emergency officials at the university, Read said earlier.
Around the time the student was struck, the university tweeted for people on campus to “stay indoors or head into the nearest building until further notice and the current storm has passed.”
The Sun's Terry Davidson and Dave Thomas are en route to the scene. Get updates below:
The first-year student was struck on this pathway close to University of Waterloo residences. (DAVE THOMAS/Toronto Sun)
First-year university student killed in lightning strike | Ontario | News | Toro
QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, September 05, 2014 12:03 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 05, 2014 08:37 PM EDT
Do you know the victim? Were you a witness? If so, we want to hear from you. Contact the Toronto Sun city desk at 416-947-2211 or by emaill at torsun.citydesk@sunmedia.ca
A first-year engineering student struck and killed by lightning while on the University of Waterloo campus Friday morning died while seeking shelter under a tree during the storm.
The 18-year-old woman, who is from Markham, was struck around 9 a.m. while standing under a patch of trees just outside a group of student residence buildings — one of which she had just moved into to start her first year of nanotechnology study, university officials said.
For a better part of the day, yellow police tape cordoned off that group of trees, as well as part of a walking path running through them.
“At the time of the storm the student went under a tree for temporary shelter,” said John Percy, public education officer with Waterloo Fire Rescue, adding that she was given emergency treatment at the scene before being rushed to Grand River Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
University president and vice-chancellor Feridun Hamdullahpur said the victim’s family has been notified but has decided to not release her name to the public.
Hamdullahpur said the “academically strong” student was struck during an “unexpected storm.”
The fact that she died during a “vibrant” orientation week designed for first-year students made it all the more tragic, he said.
When the fatal bolt struck, she was returning to her residence unit from somewhere else on campus, Hamdullahpur said.
University officials will also examine the incident to see if anything should be done differently in the future.
“As soon as we are able to review the accident report, and if there is anything we can do differently (we will), but right now our focus is on (the victim’s family and our students).”
A routine fire drill had taken place around the time the storm hit but that it was at another part of the campus and not connected to the incident, Hamdullahpur said.
When asked if students had been warned about Friday morning’s impending storm, associate provost of students Chris Read said, “The storm came on really quickly, we were expecting rain later in the day.”
Students who witnessed the tragedy called emergency officials at the university, Read said earlier.
Around the time the student was struck, the university tweeted for people on campus to “stay indoors or head into the nearest building until further notice and the current storm has passed.”
The Sun's Terry Davidson and Dave Thomas are en route to the scene. Get updates below:
The first-year student was struck on this pathway close to University of Waterloo residences. (DAVE THOMAS/Toronto Sun)
First-year university student killed in lightning strike | Ontario | News | Toro
Having spent Friday night to Saturday morning at my mate's new three-floor terraced house in the lovely little market town of Darwen in Lancashire (or "Darren" as the inhabitants call it) - Gandhi visited the town in 1931 - and being told by him during our Friday night pub crawl around the town that Darweners each have three thumbs due to the fact that they are all interbred with each other and they all seem to know each other, I'm tempted to start a thread in which we can post pictures of inbreds and call it "The Darwen Awards 2014".
Bad mouthing your kin, poor form.
Man in bus surfing incident dies
By Maryam Shah, Toronto Sun First posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 03:34 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, September 07, 2014 03:38 PM EDT
TORONTO - A man who suffered life-threatening injuries after an alleged bus surfing incident last week has died.
The 32-year-old man was discovered on the ground near Eglinton Ave. and Markham Rd. around 2 a.m. on Labour Day Sept. 1.
At the time, Toronto Police said he had been seen clinging to the back of a TTC bus.
He died on Sept. 5.
His name has not been released and his family, when contacted by
Man in bus surfing incident dies | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
By Maryam Shah, Toronto Sun First posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 03:34 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, September 07, 2014 03:38 PM EDT
TORONTO - A man who suffered life-threatening injuries after an alleged bus surfing incident last week has died.
The 32-year-old man was discovered on the ground near Eglinton Ave. and Markham Rd. around 2 a.m. on Labour Day Sept. 1.
At the time, Toronto Police said he had been seen clinging to the back of a TTC bus.
He died on Sept. 5.
His name has not been released and his family, when contacted by
Man in bus surfing incident dies | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
Montana 'BASE jumper' falls to death in Glacier National Park
Lori Grannis, Reuters
First posted: Monday, September 15, 2014 11:41 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, September 15, 2014 11:49 PM EDT
MISSOULA, Mont. - A Montana hiker reported as missing after he set out alone to perform a BASE jump in Glacier National Park over the weekend has been found dead below the summit of Mount Siyeh, authorities said on Monday.
Authorities identified the man as 22-year-old Beau Weiher of Missoula, who was reported missing by family and friends on Saturday night after he failed to return as expected from his outing.
According to a statement from the park, Weiher's family identified the general area of his hike in the Piegan and Mount Siyeh areas, and said it may also have included a BASE jump.
An outcropping of skydiving, BASE jump participants don parachutes and dive from fixed objects, such as cliffs and skyscrapers. The National Park Service has banned the practice.
Park rangers initiated a ground and aerial search on Sunday and found Weiher's body that evening, according to Glacier Park spokeswoman Denise Germann. She said he fell about 1,500 to 2,000 feet off Mount Siyeh to his death.
"We don't know whether he had attempted the jump at the time of his fall, or not, but he was attached to his parachute when the body was recovered," she said.
Posts from Weiher's Facebook page include shots of him flying or landing as part of the BASE jump lifestyle, and documents global travel undertaken within the last year to pursue the practice.
Those caught jumping in a U.S. national park can face fines as high as $2,000, plus the cost of any rescue operations.
Montana 'BASE jumper' falls to death in Glacier National Park | Montana | World
Lori Grannis, Reuters
First posted: Monday, September 15, 2014 11:41 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, September 15, 2014 11:49 PM EDT
MISSOULA, Mont. - A Montana hiker reported as missing after he set out alone to perform a BASE jump in Glacier National Park over the weekend has been found dead below the summit of Mount Siyeh, authorities said on Monday.
Authorities identified the man as 22-year-old Beau Weiher of Missoula, who was reported missing by family and friends on Saturday night after he failed to return as expected from his outing.
According to a statement from the park, Weiher's family identified the general area of his hike in the Piegan and Mount Siyeh areas, and said it may also have included a BASE jump.
An outcropping of skydiving, BASE jump participants don parachutes and dive from fixed objects, such as cliffs and skyscrapers. The National Park Service has banned the practice.
Park rangers initiated a ground and aerial search on Sunday and found Weiher's body that evening, according to Glacier Park spokeswoman Denise Germann. She said he fell about 1,500 to 2,000 feet off Mount Siyeh to his death.
"We don't know whether he had attempted the jump at the time of his fall, or not, but he was attached to his parachute when the body was recovered," she said.
Posts from Weiher's Facebook page include shots of him flying or landing as part of the BASE jump lifestyle, and documents global travel undertaken within the last year to pursue the practice.
Those caught jumping in a U.S. national park can face fines as high as $2,000, plus the cost of any rescue operations.
Montana 'BASE jumper' falls to death in Glacier National Park | Montana | World
Man who lit himself on fire at Ontario gas station dies
Roberta Bell, QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, September 26, 2014 12:08 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 26, 2014 04:18 PM EDT
MIDLAND, Ont. — A man who doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire at a Midland, Ont., service station looked like a fireball running from the scene, a witness said.
Cole Hunter, 31, of Collingwood, Ont., walked up to the gas bar at 1 p.m. Wednesday, set himself ablaze and ran off. He made it as far as a nearby churchyard, where he collapsed. People who ran after him doused the man in water in an attempt to put out the flames.
Hunter died overnight in hospital.
“When I got outside, I saw this giant fireball,” said Paul Northcott, who lives nearby and had run downstairs to investigate when he heard the commotion.
“At first, I thought someone was pushing a car away from the pumps, but then I realized it was a person.”
The flames threatened the gas station as well.
Six fuel pumps, including one almost charred beyond recognition, were damaged in the ensuing fire.
The coroner is to conduct a post-mortem.
- With files from Andrew Philips
Man who lit himself on fire at Ontario gas station dies | Ontario | News | Toron
Roberta Bell, QMI Agency
First posted: Friday, September 26, 2014 12:08 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, September 26, 2014 04:18 PM EDT
MIDLAND, Ont. — A man who doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire at a Midland, Ont., service station looked like a fireball running from the scene, a witness said.
Cole Hunter, 31, of Collingwood, Ont., walked up to the gas bar at 1 p.m. Wednesday, set himself ablaze and ran off. He made it as far as a nearby churchyard, where he collapsed. People who ran after him doused the man in water in an attempt to put out the flames.
Hunter died overnight in hospital.
“When I got outside, I saw this giant fireball,” said Paul Northcott, who lives nearby and had run downstairs to investigate when he heard the commotion.
“At first, I thought someone was pushing a car away from the pumps, but then I realized it was a person.”
The flames threatened the gas station as well.
Six fuel pumps, including one almost charred beyond recognition, were damaged in the ensuing fire.
The coroner is to conduct a post-mortem.
- With files from Andrew Philips
Man who lit himself on fire at Ontario gas station dies | Ontario | News | Toron