As they needed to get to the opposite side of the building, my dad’s friend climbed a small stile and stepped into a metal trough, roughly four feet across in order to cross to the other side and then back down to the floor. What he did not know was that molten iron was coursing towards him – in the trough! These troughs were used to direct the molten iron to ingot moulds.

Although sirens do sound when iron is poured, Keith apparently did not hear this. I have heard these sirens; they can be heard from miles away. Nevertheless, Keith appeared not to have heard it. The fast-flowing stream of almost white-hot iron struck Keith as he stood in the trough. Although my dad says the iron was only about two inches deep, it had sufficient momentum and weight to knock over Keith. He fell into the molten iron. Witnesses testified that Keith was simply immediately evaporated. Not a trace of him was found.

I remember my dad being incredibly distraught when he got home that evening and the event shocked the community. My dad also says he does not know why Keith did not simply step into the trough and then step out the other side. Instead, he faltered, and stood with both feet in the bottom of the trough, looking toward the opposite side. Had he simply continued, he would have survived the ordeal. Just one more step.

As if this was not bad enough, a short while before this event, Keith’s eighteen-year old son, Brian, was accidentally shot by his girlfriend while they were out practicing. The girlfriend had handed the pistol to Brian. The gun went off and shot Brian in the hip. The bullet coursed along the interior curve of his pelvic bone and lodged in one of his kidneys. Brian died a few days later in hospital. I attended the same school as Brian and we were all mortified by this event. I remember a teacher, Mrs. Jack, weeping openly as she announced his death.

Ironically, some months prior to these events, my dad fell through the ceiling of Keith’s storefront while installing new track lights. Then I fell through the ceiling of Keith’s house when my dad and I were replacing old electrical wiring. Neither of us was hurt, just a bit scratched and shaken. Seems some folks are surrounded by bad luck.

If I recall, Keith’s death would have been around 1974/5, but I am not certain. The events happened in a small town called Vereeniging, South Africa and can probably be verified by local news and records. My apologies to the families if I have not gotten the details precise. The gist is correct as my dad told us that fateful night and as reported in the newspapers and on local radio news. There was no TV at that time. TV arrived in 1977 in South Africa.

Submitted on 11/08/2006

Submitted by: silverrain@austin.rr.com
Reference: South Africa, 1974/5

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
A VERY harrowing story, Silver Rain, but definitely tragic and not necessarily the cause of outright stupidity. I would imagine being immolated by molten iron is a very quick way to go, and at least it happened quickly. As for the rest of the story, it would seem like a series of unfortunate events. I will vote to keep this as a PA if ONLY for the variety of misfortune which befell all of you!

Graham said:
Neutral: Personal Account

Jorge said:
Neutral: Personal Account

Jack said:
Neutral: Personal Account

Shadow said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Without a press source to back this, I agree with "Personal Account." It is a tragic and horrible way to go...

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