As the story relates 21 year old Andrew Ogden, from Astley Village, Chorley, in the United Kingdom and some of his friends were walking home from somewhere towards there homes, but to get where they were going, well they had to cross the Rylands railroad grade crossing.

Now while Andrew's friends decided to cross the railroad crossing safely, before the train got there, for some unknown and oddball reason (Maybe Andrew and his friends were at a pub earlier in the evening and they were all tipsy being they were coming home at 10 pm), Our potential near Darwin nominee, and more than likely near miss for an Honorable Mention nominee, decided to stop and stand right in the middle of the tracks with his hands up in the air, while the Manchester Airport to Blackpool express bore down on Andrew at about 80 kph (50 mph)

well as the pictures that were captured on CCTV show, Mr. Andrew Ogden, (Age 21), came within 1/10th of 1 second of being a definite Darwin Winner. (Close but no cigar!)

So let's see what he can get:

Reproduction: Sadly Andrew didn't get killed but he came oh so darn close, just a blink of an eye. So even though he's out of the money for this round, there's always next time.

Excellence: Well for anyone standing in the middle of a train crossing is stupid, especially at 10 pm at night while you have a train hurtling down the tracks at you at 50 mph. So this one gets a check in my book.

Self-Selection: Okay now this gets a big check on the "Potential" Honorable mention.. who in their right mind would want to stand in the middle of a railroad grade crossing, waiting to be hit by a train?

Maturity? (21): Yep he's got a check there.. and he could do it again! (Read below)

Veracity: Yes this one is in a local British News paper but I believe this one also got onto Fox News Here in the states..but this one also is a check..

4 out of 5..(The only one being not taken out of the pool. But one tenth of 1 second later, and We could have had a definite Darwin)!!

The end of the story is this.. Considering that Andrew is still young (21), and he decided to do this stupid stunt (Standing there on a railroad grade crossing while an express train loaded with passengers hurtled down at him at 50 mph), it makes you wonder..

Once Andrew gets out of jail (as he was arrested and charged with obstruction (of a train) without intent, and that He's plead guilty to said charge, and released on bail to stand trail between now and the 7th of January 2008,It does make you wonder... Could he do it again? And if so, maybe this next time he could lose something..A leg, or maybe the lower half of his body, or maybe his life!

I mean this guy really seems to me to be Darwin Class Material.. if he doesn't learn his lesson now, well We'll be seeing him back here again and the next time? He'll be a full fledged Nominee for said Darwin..(But hey you gotta start somewhere! And this proves one thing. If you are going to start.. Start early and keep trying. Cause sooner or later, you'll land a Darwin!)

Submitted on 12/11/2007

Submitted by: Paul Bender
Reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=500873&in_page_id=1770

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Chip said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
Paul, this one was oh-so-close! But since there was not even an injury I will have to forego an HM vote and put this one down as a stupid train-dodging stunt. Thanks for the submission though.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I will give him an HM for such a close shave! As a 21 year old (adult), he ISN'T young, just immature. Also, I'll wager he imagines he now has "bragging rights". My prediction is that he will at some point try it again or else try something else guaranteed to do him in! Funny enough for me! Thanks, Paul!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Despite my contention that most pedestrian/train collisions fall in the category of being too common I'll also vote for an HM for this loon. Purposely standing in front of an oncoming train is pure lunacy. If he'd slipped or tripped he'd almost definitely be in the running for a full DA. Thanks, Paul!

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