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2008 Slush Pile

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

Caught Hold of Live Wire.

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Man Instantly Killed at Work in a Trinity Place Building.

Robert Bush, a steam engineer, living at 79 Steigman Avenue, Jersey City, was instantly killed about 9 o'clock last night by catching hold of an electric light wire in the basement of the building at 33 Trinity Place.

He was repairing some steampipes in the engine room with two other workmen, and while pushing aside a bunch of electric wires to get at a particular steampipe, caught hold of the live wire and fell dead.

His body was removed to the Church Street Police Station. Bush was thirty-eight years old and married.

Submitted on 03/17/2008

Submitted by: Christian Suciu
Reference: The New York Times, June 7, 1899, p. 3.

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
It sounds to me like this was nothing more than a tragic accident and not an act of stupidity. He likely didn't recognize that one of the wires in that bundle was exposed and live. Thanks just the same, Christian.


Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
For someone whose occupation had to involve working around electrical connections and wires it seems to me he was pretty callous in his disregard for checking if anything was exposed. I vote DA. Thanks, Christian


Shadow said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
I agree with Bruce reads more as accident then stupidity. Thanks Christian


James said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
As a steamfitter, he would be working on pipes and NOT electrical components. As such, he was probably following usual operating procedures. In a bundle of wires (especially old wires, which I'll wager was the case here), insulation can disintegrate and the copper wires therein tarnish to the point that it's not apparent. A very sad incident, and my thoughts go out to his family...


Tracy said:
Definitely Toss: No Self-Selection
Sorry - but this sounds like a genuine accident - he wasn't to know that there was a live wire hanging


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