However, Phillip, 60, decided he knew better. He was in hospital for the treatment of a skin disease, which consisted of being covered with a paraffin-based cream. He was warned that the cream was flammable and that he definitely shouldn't smoke. But Phillip couldn't live without his cigarettes.

Smoking was not permitted in the ward, but Phillip took this setback in stride, and sneaked out onto a fire escape. Once he was in his little hiding place, he lit up... ahh. Everything went well as he got his nicotine fix; things went downhill only after he finished his cigarette, and ground out the butt with his heel.

Unfortunately, the paraffin skin cream had been absorbed by his clothing. As he stamped out the butt, it lit the fumes coming off his pyjamas. The resulting inferno treated his skin ailment, and left him with first-degree burns over 70% of his body. Despite excellent emergency treatment, he died in the intensive care unit.

Using the Darwin checklist:

1.Reproduction -- if he has children, he's not having any more.
2.Excellence -- this is one that I'll remember.
3.Self-Selection -- he was warned that paraffin and flames don't mix.
4.Maturity -- At 60 I'd guess he was old enough to make his own decisions.
5.Veracity -- All the major news carriers in the UK had the story.

This ticks all the boxes, and though I feel sorry for the family, I think that it acts as a warning that if a doctor tells you not to smoke, there's probably a very good reason.

Link: mirror.co.uk
pending20060419-050307.html
pending20060419-051131.html
pending20060421-003433.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1756316,00.html

Submitted on 04/19/2006

Submitted by: CJ, Andrew Malcolm, Iain Sims, Richard Beeston
Reference: The Mirror, Yorkshire Today

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

Sheryl said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Thanks for taking the time to submit the story, CJ. Okay, now we have definite information that the patient knew the gel was flammable and was warned about it. I'm still neutral on this one, though. What sayest thou, fellow Moderators?

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
OK, I'll bite. If he went against doctor's orders and lit up anyway, he DOES have all the ingredients of a Darwinian candidate. Had he not known, or if it were beyond his control, I'd toss outright. He knew and willingly lit up, so chalk another one up for Darwin! Thanks for the additional info, CJ!

Jorge said:
Neutral: Darwin Award

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