Charles Braunschweig (65) died after his snowmobile crashed into a building at Murmuring Waters Resort, 8120 Murmuring Waters Drive, in St. Germain, shortly after midnight on Sunday, February 5, 2006, according to a Vilas County Sheriff's Department press release.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2001 Yamaha snowmobile operated by Braunschweig was traveling south on Lost Lake when he lost control when he came onto the south shore of the lake. Braunschweig and his snowmobile then struck the resort's bar.

Authorities said Braunschweig was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement officials said speed and alcohol were believed to be factors in the crash.

Here is what is what actually happened (its a rural area, and word spreads fast): There is a large berm, which resembles a ski-jump at the south end of Lost Lake. It's between 15 and 20 feet high. Charles Braunschweig and his Yamaha snowmobile were traveling between 80 and 90 miles per hour, when he came upon the berm. Excessive consumption of alcohol combined with a sincere desire to jump off that berm like a olympic skier were both factors in his decision to attempt the jump. He was intoxicated to the point, that had there NOT been a log building on the other side of the berm, he probably would have just fallen off his snowmobile, passed out, and died of hypothermia.

However, there WAS a building, a bar, and a rather large one, with two stories, and many large interior pine logs acting as supports for the roof.

After Mr. Braunschweig scaled the berm and achieved his olympic aspirations, he then crashed through the SECOND STORY of the bar. The force of the impact and the speed of the snowmobile were such that when he separated from the snowmobile, his body broke through THREE 24" diameter pine logs. The snowmobile never made it all the way into the bar, as it had gotten stuck in the wall. Luckily no one else was harmed, though the bar did sustain heavy damage, and several other drunk snowmobilers were scared sober.

Submitted on 02/25/2006

Submitted by: Kyra Walton
Reference: Vilas County NewsReview 2/7/06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I suppose this borders on "too common", but I really like the fact that he decided to jump that mound at 90 mph and that the last thing to go through his mind were 3 24" diameter logs! You usually see things like this only in "James Bond" movies. I'll keep this one, if only for the visual! Thanks, Kyra!

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
An absolutely classic visual, yes. Worth keeping for that alone, I think...

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