Holland is famous for its many canals. Car owners in the city of Amsterdam are less enthousiastic, since canals take up valuable space were they could have parked their cars. But hey, why not combine the two and park your car in the canal? The hero of our story did just that. Parking next to a canal he made a slight misjudgment and ended up in the water, with his car. No problem, with so much water in our country, almost every Dutchman can swim. So he got out of his car and swam to the wall of the canal, where there are steps to reach streetlevel.

Since the future-drowning victim lived closeby, he went home to put on some dry clothes. Having done that, he went back to the canal to see if his car had sunk yet.

He then made a second misjudgment, presumably slipped and fell in the canal, again. Though the newspaperarticle did not mention what kind of clothes the man had put on, they must have been somewhat heavier than his first outfit, because this time, he drowned!

I know, it is just an accident and not really his fault that he ended up in the water twice in one day at exactly the same spot, but it seems a very unlikely coincidence.

Yours sincerely,

Rinda Scheltens

Submitted on 04/20/2007

Submitted by: Rinda Scheltens
Reference: Dutch newspapers

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Neutral: Personal Account
Poor guy. I wonder what he intended to do when the car had sunk. I know Holland. There would have been a gazilion people at the scene of the accident. Strange story, but thanks for sharing, Rinda.

Bruce said:
Neutral: Personal Account
That is an interesting story. Thanks for sending it in, Rinda. I would like to know how he drowned the second time around though. I find it hard to believe he simply slipped in then couldn't get back out or that his clothing weighted him down so he couldn't get out. If you can find any references to this story please submit them and it may just be nominated for a full DA!

James said:
Neutral: Personal Account
I'm actually wondering just how deep the canals in Amsterdam are (I know the Rhine canal has a minimum depth of 18 feet, but I imagine the older canals are shallower by the look of the boats traversing them). This fellow must have been drunk, a horrible swimmer, or both! Thanks, Rinda!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Strange story indeed. To return to the scene of his first stupidity (parking his car in the canal) to drown is indeed unusual. I vote a PA on this one. Thanks for sending it Rinda