Slush Pile: Teen injured by arrow

2007 Slush Pile

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

Teen injured by arrow

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Charlotte Sun (Port Charlotte, FL)

February 27, 2007

Teen injuries pierces his head with arrow

Boy remains in critical condition

JON F. SICA

DeSoto News Editor Charles A. Ellsworth, 18, shot himself in the head while reportedly fiddling with his compound bow Saturday night.

ARCADIA -- Eighteen-year-old Charles A. Ellsworth lies comatose on life support at Tampa General Hospital after shooting himself in the head with an arrow Saturday night.

Ellsworth's aunt, Kristi Stillwell, said doctors at the hospital say it's a miracle he's alive, and that brain damage is most likely a foregone conclusion at this point.

According to Ellsworth's stepmother, Susan, they should know more about Ellsworth's condition in a few days.

Known to friends and family simply as "B," Ellsworth was allegedly fiddling with his compound bow outside his Arcadia home around 10 p.m. Saturday. Stillwell said he was planning on shooting at some stumps in his yard.

But he somehow shot himself in the head instead. Ellsworth's family said they do not know exactly how it occurred, but Stillwell said the arrow went through most of his head and lodged itself in the top of Ellsworth's skull.

DeSoto County Rescue personnel responded, but Fire Chief Glenn Prescott refused to comment about it Monday afternoon.

However, Stillwell said medics responded and Ellsworth, arrow and all, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. Stillwell said the arrow was extracted by doctors at the hospital around 3 a.m.

Apparently, the arrow Ellsworth had loaded only carried a gently rounded practice tip -- not a sharply pointed and barbed hunting tip. Surgeons at the hospital said the smooth practice tip probably saved his life, and that a hunting tip would have caused immediate death.

Although the tip may have been relatively docile, the force behind the arrow was not.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation states on its Web site that modern arrows can travel faster than 130 mph and can take down large game from up to 40 yards away.

According to Stillwell, Ellsworth is an avid outdoor enthusiast and hunts often with his father, Charlie.

Ellsworth's parents and stepmother remained by his side in Tampa Monday, where Tampa General Hospital reported Ellsworth was in critical condition.

"Tell them all to keep praying," the elder Charlie Ellsworth said.

While in Arcadia Monday morning, Stillwell established a fund to help pay for Ellsworth's medical bills at the First State Bank of Arcadia.

"Any help would be greatly appreciated," Stillwell said. The bank is at 400 N. Brevard Ave. in Arcadia.

Anyone wishing to help the Ellsworth family can also contact Stillwell at kristisjess@yahoo.com.

You can e-mail Jon F. Sica at jsica@sun-herald.com.

Submitted on 03/02/2007

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: February 28, 07 Charlotte Sun

>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Maybe Toss: Not Amusing
As usual, no one has any idea what happened, only that someone died tragically. This sounds to me like an unfortunate accident. The victim did not seem to have any Darwinian scheme in mind, just a spot of practice shooting. Rather tragic, but thanks for submitting!

Chip said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I cannot for the life of me figure out how this young man could draw the bow with sufficient force to do with while pointing it at his head! Definitely a different angle on the story. Lack of humor is the only thing that keeps me from voting Definitely Keep on this one. Thanks for the story

Tracy said:
Maybe Toss: Not Amusing
Thanks, but this seems like an accident to me - at least the guy was using a rounded tip, so he understood the danger

Bruce said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
Without any witnesses there's no way of knowing exactly how this happened. Thanks for submitting it though.

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom

Keep yourself out of the gene pool!
A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item!
Friends don't let friends reproduce!
$13 for Pack of 4

Slush Pile
Slush Pile Rejects

2007 Slush Pile

Teen injured by arrow

2007 Reader Submission Pending Acceptance

>> The Darwin Awards, by Wendy Northcutt << Link to Fight Evil.

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

>> The Darwin Awards, by Wendy Northcutt <<
Link to Fight Evil.