Sherrif's deputy Roy McHiggins said Tuesday that the accident occurred Saturday afternoon shortly after 1:30. According to Deputy McHiggins, Michael and two friends were working to demolish a barn, located about seven miles down little Cacapon Road, at the time of the accident. Police said Michael was working on the top floor of the barn and was reportedly using a chainsaw to cut through the support posts.

According to Deputy McHiggins, it was while Michael was cutting the support posts that the roof of the barn collapsed, trapping him underneath.

Police said Michael's two friends cut part of the roof away and attempted to resuscitate him, but to no avail. According to Deputy McHiggins, the friends called Hampshire County's E-911 center around 1:43, reporting that the roof had collapsed and Michael was trapped beneath the rubble. Members of the Augusta fire and rescue squads responded to the scene, police said.

Michael is survived by his wife and small child, according to the police.

The incident was investigated by Deputy McHiggins.

Submitted on 01/29/2007

Submitted by: Brian Frye
Reference: Hampshire Review, 17JAN07

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Although this was supposedly an "accident", I just know there *had* to be some serious stupidity involved as well. I liked the tagline: "Barn Falls on Man". Great! Nice to see a non-alcohol/drug story for a change, Brian.

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
While not quite as vehement about this as Graham, I have to vote DA as well. When one cuts through a support post without a PLAN (which seems to be lacking here), the result is usually that the formerly supported object (in this case, the roof) will fall. Oops! :-)

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'll go for a DA on this. This is the sort of extreme Darwin grade stupidity that I like to see. Thanks, Brian!