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Darwin Awards
2011 Slush Pile

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

Lost in Nevada

2011 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

We've all heard the story about Albert and Rita Chretien, a BC couple in their 50's from Penticton. On their drive to Las Vegas for a trade show, they detoured off the main highway after filling up with gas in Baker City. They took a logging road as a short cut and became stuck in the mud. Albert left after a few days to seek help and Rita was found by hunters after being in the van for 49 days surviving on candies and melted snow.

Reason for nomination - 1. how stupid do you have to be to take a logging road as a short cut especially in March and 2. how stupid do you have to be to go seeking help and can't follow your tire tracks back to the main road? He has never been found. I call it death by GPS - Guy Pretty Stupid.

Submitted on 10/04/2011

Submitted by: James Dale
Reference: Baker City - May 2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Other
Thanks, James, but I don't feel this story is appropriate for a number of reasons. If I recall correctly, they were simply following a GPS (which is a WAY too common method of getting into trouble - we have lots of similar stories in the archives) and not everybody is aware that some mountain roads are closed during the winter. Typically when mountain roads are closed there are barriers put in place and signs warning people not to use them. If those barriers & signs weren't in place then these people likely had no idea how treacherous the road was. You could also argue that one of the two is an innocent bystander since it was the driver who followed the GPS. But most importantly I just don't find anything amusing about this story. Thanks just the same.


Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Other
What Bruce said. It can be added that they were also not familiar with the area, and didn't realize they were in trouble until they were in it. (As I remember the case, the GPS told them it was a through road.)


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