A 17-year-old Milwaukee boy was electrocuted early this morning at a building in the 1400 block of N. Farwell Ave. on the city's east side, Milwaukee Police said today.

Witnesses said the teen, who was at the building with friends, wrapped his legs around the banister of a fourth-story balcony at the building and with both hands grabbed the nearby electrical wires. He fell from the balcony.

Milwaukee Police Capt. Deb Davidoski said the boy appears to have died from electrocution, rather than the fall. She said alcohol may have been a factor.

Friends said the teen told them Friday that he wanted to grab the power lines and that they discouraged him, according to Davidoski.

She said a girl who reached out to stop the boy today could feel the electricity surging through his body before she could reach him.

"It's a good thing she didn't touch him, or we'd have two people dead," Davidoski said.

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=7/8/2006&id=8254

Submitted on 07/08/2006

Submitted by: Kurt S.
Reference: JS Online Sat, July 8, 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Not spectacular (well, the write-up isn't at any rate) but I like the simplicity. There was no mention of suicide, only alcohol, and even when I drank at the tender age of 17 (hell, we ALL did back then), I never had the urge to just grab power lines! Add to that he had NO intention of stealing the power lines, as so many other DA rejects have done so far! I'll let the readers decide here! Thanks, Kurt!

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
If 17 isn't too young then I believe this one is entirely suitable. The difference between having the impulse to grab power lines and actually grabbing power lines is that enigmatic quality that often makes the difference between a full happy life or a Darwin Award demise.

Jorge said:
Neutral: Darwin Award

Sheryl said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Ummm ... guys, this one's already in the Slush Pile. (Of course, I don't know when you voted on this version.) Anyway, this version lacks the detail that others have included, so it's a toss ... Sorry.

Becky said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I haven't seen other versions yet, but I do think this is Darwin-worthy. 17 is definately old enough to know better.

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