BY MARION RHODES

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A woman in Little Sioux, Iowa, died Friday, apparently while trying to drive worms out of the ground with a homemade shocking device, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office said.

The woman, who was in her late 40s, was using an apparatus made out of a two-foot metal shaft that was wired to an extension cord and secured with tape, Sheriff Terry Baxter said.

"It's not uncommon in our area," Baxter said. People use metal rods to send electricity into moist soil, which causes night crawlers to come out of the earth, he said.

Baxter said the woman was apparently standing in water on the saturated ground and may have been electrocuted when she touched the metal rod.

An autopsy will be performed today to determine the cause of death.

"She had a large fish tank in her home, and this is how she supposedly fed her fish," Baxter said.

The woman's name was being withheld until relatives could be notified.

Submitted on 07/23/2005

Submitted by: John Flaherty
Reference: Omaha World Herald 7/23/05

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Kelly said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I did find the story, so this is authentic. Most people know that standing in water or on wet ground, while dealing with electrcity, is a bad idea. However I can see the possiblity that she would not have had the training to realize that the current would travel across the surface in the water instead of just going down where the worms were.

Tracy said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Well, it needs a humorous write-up, but could be a DA. What a useless way to die!

Charles said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
It is unusual to have this happen in the States where household power is 110v, but in countries where the household power is 220v it happens about once a year.

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
While it could have used a better write up, it is unusual enough to qualify.

James said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
"It's not uncommon in our area", says the Sherriff in the writeup. If people do this somewhat regularly and have survived (despite the risky and even stupid nature of the practice), I can only conclude that this is a case of extreme bad luck and not uncommon stupidity. I do have to agree with Tracy, however, in that it does seem a rather useless way to die...

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