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Darwin Awards
2006 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Shocking intelligence

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Hi there Darwin. My name is Kauê, im a student in Brazil and I found the folowing story in the internet:

"ALEXANDRIA, MINN. - Three men were shocked and knocked unconscious when their fishing boat hit an underwater electrical cord attached to a dock at Lake Le Homme Dieu.

Last update: July 03, 2006 – 10:08 PM

The 4th drains hustle-bustle from the Cities ALEXANDRIA, MINN.Three men were shocked and knocked unconscious when their fishing boat hit an underwater electrical cord attached to a dock at Lake Le Homme Dieu. The men were recovering Monday at Douglas County Hospital. They were knocked out Sunday in the lake near Alexandria, Douglas County sheriff's officials said. None of the men knew about the cord when one of them, Steven Bormann, stepped out of the boat and into the water. He was shocked and fell unconscious into the water. Dennis Larson jumped in to save Bormann and was also shocked and fell into the water unconscious. The third man, Nicholas Bormann, entered the water to help and was also shocked and knocked out, authorities said. Family members watching on the shore found the power cord, disconnected it and pulled the three from the water."

This was taken from the StarTribune newspaper website (http://www.startribune.com/462/story/531751.html)

Unfortunately for them they're still alive, so I guess they can only get an Honorable Mention.

Farewell

Submitted on 07/04/2006

Submitted by: Kauê M. Costa
Reference: StarTribune / July 03, 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
Thanks for the submission, Kau. Needless to say, we can only award gratuitous stupidity, and these poor fellows had NO IDEA that there was an electrical cable in the water. In short, they did nothing stupid; they were merely victims of incredible bad luck!


Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
The first and second one had no idea but the third one should have known better!


Fitzroy said:
Definitely Toss: Other
I almost marked this as "bystanders hurt" because I really don't fault any of these guys. Sure, the third one had enough evidence to be much more cautious. Yet he was acting to save others and it is understandable he might not take time to reflect under the circumstances. Even that last plunge falls on too fine a line between courage and stupidity for my taste.


Jack said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
This is a hard call, but even granted that the 3d man should have realized that something was seriously wrong, I'm voting no because of what I call the "Good Samaritan" exclusion for rescuers.


Sheryl said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
Thsnkd for the story, Kaul. I have to go with the majority on this one. I can't see any signs that they knew the cable was there so regretfully I have to bin this.


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