It all started with the desire for a quick smoke at 11pm. Outside the house, on the lawn. For nondisclosed reasons he opted to lift away the cover of a sewage drain. These things are heavy, round, cast iron lids, so it takes a lot of strength and determination to remove one without using tools. Whatever his intentions, the next thing he cared to remember was being stuck after falling 10 feet (3 metres) down the drain. His injuries prevented climbing back up, and although this years autumn was rather warm, exposure would have claimed him before morning.

This is where his previous training paid off. He calmly reached for his cellphone. And was fortunate enough to find service that extended underground. And proceeded to direct emergency services to his location. The doctor and an EMT clambered down and the fire department hoisted him out.

http://ooe.orf.at/stories/142545/

Submitted on 10/10/2006

Submitted by: Gunter
Reference: ORF, Oct 10 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
This one's a tough call, Gunter! There's definitely something stupid/funny about what this fellow did. "Gee, I've always wondered what's under THIS"! The fact that there is no explanation for his actions makes this funny! I'm not sure if what he did was technically dangerous, but it DID almost get him killed! I will let Darwin decide on this one!

Jorge said:
Neutral: Other

Graham said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
My guess is he lifted the man-hole cover because warm air would come out? Probably. Maybe. Whatever his reasons, let's hope he leaves well alone and when he goes outside to smoke, he SMOKES only!

Fitzroy said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
There was physical peril following from a stupid act, but there is that memory void. For all we know, the man was struck from behind by an assailant or fainted from an undiagnosed medical condition. My gut says that the subject simply didn't want to confess precisely how he wound up down the sewer, and that information could make a huge difference here. As it stands though, the gap is problematic to me. Of course, that is a fine point, and the submission is definittely appreciated.

Tracy said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
But.... I do think this guy may be a future DA!

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