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2007 October Slush
(DA) The Enema Within
(?) Man killed on I-880 held onto back
(DA) Elephants makes Journalist Squash
(DA) When You Guard, Dont Try To steal
(DA) The Wrong Chin-Up Bar
(?) Breathalyser Game
(PA) Remember the Hindenburg
Reverend's Odd Autoasphyxia
Retired cop struck, killed by train
The Hitchhiker Who Became Roadkill
(?) light me, camera, action!
(DA) Ammo Dumps
Lenoir Man Electrocuted
“shredded hippy parts!”
(?) I need it like a hook in the head
Hang on there!
Garden Gnomw
Second time unlucky
Grab a ride
Brilliant Example of Propane Safety
I threw a hatchet in the air,
Dead man was in avocado tree for da
Surf's Up
'Skylarking' man in undies falls ni
Smoking and Abiding Kills!!!!
A simple repair
Syphoning gas with vacuum cleaner
Anti-Violence activist teen shot
Crocodile Indeed
Newtons Other Laws
Car kills two people fighting
Man Stuck in Ex-Wife's Window Dies
oversized load kills man of 75.
Dogs Shot man on hunting Trip
Two women burned while huffing comp
Fighting man, woman killed on I-595
Forbidden Fruit
(DA) Fatal a-Traction
flammable fraud attempt
Body struck repeatedly on I-880
Burglar slashes own throat
Man accidently shoots himself in ba
Car Surfing
Dumped on while dumping
Car Capers
Pervert obsessed with bondage sex d
Theif struck by train
Coleman Stoves are for Outside Only
A garage sale??
No flashlight? No Problem
Pheasant & Highway
Gas station.. close call
Be gateful it's not you
Dying for a leak?
Wheelchair Whacko!
CVS--Crook Vent Stuck!
The invulnerable crossing guard
Tight Chimney
Malfunction Junction
2 Construction Workers Drown in Pon
Their truck was da bomb!
Tuck and Roll
Woman looses arm after a loin bite
Camouflage or not
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Darwin Awards
2007 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
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Malfunction Junction

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

I bought a motorbike for fifty dollars many years ago (1970's) - the owner was frustrated to tears since it would run - not run or start - start and run - stop, not start - start and not run over and over again for no apparent reason despite his doing every diagnostic that he knew for Honda motorbikes.

Funny thing - it ran perfectly for me! Perfectly that is, until I stalled in the traffic lane of Highway 101 just south of Willits California. I was so absorbed in trying to deduce the cause of the ignition failure that I completely neglected to notice where I was - on the down hill side of a blind hill - on a highway frequented by fully loaded logging trucks. There was no siding in my lane, I got the bike to restart and was about to let the clutch out so I could traverse the highway to get to a turnout on the opposite side of the highway when a tremendous airhorn blast rattled my kidneys - and then a huge blast of wind as the fully loaded logging truck passed INCHES from my front wheel. I still have imaginary images of a White Freightliner truck with a Honda hood ornament... Moral: If you are going to get confused about vehicle diagnostics - don't do it in a traffic lane! Oh, the feed wire for the ignition (runs under the seat) had slipped out of its little retainer clip and the folding seat occasionally pinched it and grounded out the ignition.

Submitted on 10/27/2007

Submitted by: Joseph Bodden
Reference: none - personal witness

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
While I would call this more a case of muddleheadedness than true stupidity, I really liked this story! Thanks, Joseph!


Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
I had a similar experience with the first car I had back in college cutting out on me in the high-speed lane of a 4-lane highway. Unlike you I was focused immediately on getting to the side of the road. Glad to hear you made it ok, and thanks for a great visual!


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