A German "spit for distance" aficionado's attempt to go that extra foot has ended in tragedy. Trying too hard to gain that extra momentum, he fell off an apartment balcony, sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Competitive sport can often be dangerous, and athletes striving for their best performance can run the risk of serious injury. The danger is even greater when extreme sports and heights are involved.

Now one German man's striving for his best performance has ended in tragedy. The 43-year-old, who has not been named, was critically injured when he fell off a balcony during a "spit for distance" competition.

According to a police statement Thursday, the man had been competing with a 12-year-old boy in a spitting contest on Wednesday evening. The pair had been standing on the balcony of a second-floor apartment in the town of Forst in the east German state of Brandenburg, seeing how far they could spit.

In an attempt to reach an even better performance, the man had apparently tried too hard to gain extra momentum to propel his saliva further. He was carried over the railing and fell onto the balcony of the first floor apartment below, sustaining life-threatening injuries. A rescue helicopter was called in to whisk the man to a hospital in the nearby city of Cottbus.

The incident coincides with the publication of a new report (more...) showing that increasing numbers of men in the former East Germany are poorly educated.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,486078,00.html

Submitted on 06/03/2007

Submitted by: Frrank Miller
Reference: http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,486078,00.html

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Ah, it's you again, Frank! THIS time, there IS additional information. I wasn't aware that this incident coincides with the report of poor education among East German males! I will pass this on to Darwin! Thanks!

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks for sending this in, but we already have this story under consideration.

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
This doesn't seem to have much more additional information than the original submission (other than the report on poor education). Thanks, Frank.

Chip said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
While there is a modicum of additional information, I don't think it has a bearing on the Darwin-worthiness of the stort. Thanks for sending us the story, Frank.

Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I dont see the repeat, and I think that if others are saying there is more info Darwin should see it!