(sda) According to the police report the sixteen year old had participated in experiments during chemistry class. Goal was to produce caustic solutions out of elemental sodium. After learning about the very violent reaction between water and the metallic sodium the guy decided to steal a piece of sodium, wrap it up into a damp rag and shove it into his pant pocket.

Due to the reactive nature of elemental sodium his pants were soon on fire. With the help of his classmates and a few teachers the fire could be put out – nevertheless he suffered some third-degree burns at the thigh and at his ‘lower back’(tush).

Here’s the original newspaper text in German(June, 1st 2006) http://www.nzz.ch/2006/06/01/vm/newzzENX4XK1F-12.html Schüler nach Experiment verletzt

Natrium in die Tasche gesteckt

Ein 16-jähriger Schüler hat am Donnerstag in Amriswil am Oberschenkel und am Gesäss Verbrennungen dritten Grades erlitten. Der Bursche hatte nach Experimenten im Chemieunterricht Natrium in einen feuchten Lappen gewickelt und in die Hosentasche gesteckt.

(sda) Nach Polizeiangaben entzündete sich das Natrium wenig später auf Grund einer chemischen Reaktion. Dadurch begannen die Kleider des Schülers zu brennen. In der Toilette gelang es Mitschülern und Lehrern, die brennenden Kleider zu löschen.

Der Schüler hatte zuvor im Chemieunterricht an Experimenten teilgenommen, bei denen Laugen hergestellt wurden. Dabei wurde auch Natrium verwendet. Warum der 16-Jährige das Natrium eingesteckt hat, ist bisher nicht bekannt.

Natrium reagiert sehr heftig, wenn es mit Wasser in jeder Form in Kontakt kommt. Es setzt dann Ätznatron (Natriumhydroxid) frei, das die Haut veräzt.

Submitted on 06/01/2006

Submitted by: max
Reference: Swiss Newspaper

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I'll bite. For cryin' out loud, the kid (JUST old enough to qualify) learns about this violent chemical reaction in class and THEN proceeds to "do the don't"! I guess he came within two clicks of a hot dog roast, which IMO qualifies him for an HM! Thanks, Max, this one's kind of funny!

Greg said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I agree. He watches a demo of what happens when you put Sodium in WATER and then wraps a piece in a WET cloth, in his pocket, adjacent to the family jewels! Ha! HM earned, if you ask me...

Jorge said:
Maybe Toss: Other

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I'm with Greg and James.

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