I found a particularly funny and bizarre way of dying. The problem is that I found it in a very funny book, and I have many doubts about the veracity of this story (Anyway, it would fit nicely in the Urban Legends section). There it goes, guys. ENJOY

The book I'm speaking about is the "Treatise of the Hangover", written by Juan Bas (Spanish author, I'm sorry I think I can't find any edition in English). In this book we can find different behaviours during the hangovers. One of them is the scatological hangover, where you spend all day in the toilet due to the stomach problems you have after getting drunk.

Let's say the main character of this kind of hangover is Mr. Brown, who watched a Spanish film in the 70's called "The hermit", where the main character decided to live in his bathroom all his live. Mr. Brown loved that idea and decided to spend the days after the drunkenness in his toilet. He spend the days among long baths with salts, and short but violent visits to the toilet.

Mr. Brown always brought to the toilet the Marca (Spanish sports newspaper), the ABC (almost - fascist newspaper), the Selections of Reader's Digest, a radio, french omelette, some apples, and three flasks with orange and lemon juice; and with clear soup. His wife had to go to the toilet in the neighbour's house.

He was found dead during a hangover, so he died alone in the bathroom. His body was found in the bathtub with a huge loss of blood and electrocuted. In the floor a carboniced fly could be found. The police reconstructed the death as follows.

Mr. Brown used a can of hairspray for chasing flies, as the burnt fly and a Bic lighter gave the evidence of that. At a given moment, the can exploded and a chunk of metal cut the guy's jugular. Completely stunned by the bleeding, he walked to the bathtub, he tripped over it, and threw the radio (it was plugged in) into the bathtub.

At least he didn't hear the result of the football match between Athletic Bilbao vs. Betis (He supported Bilbao, who lost 3 - 0).

Conclussion 1: use a can of hairspray as flame thrower --> IDIOT

Conclussion 2: have a plugged radio in the bathtub, what means electricity and water --> VERY IDIOT

P.S. As you have realised, I'm Spanish, and my translation may not be perfect. My apologies

Submitted on 02/01/2008

Submitted by: Marcos
Reference:

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
While this is an amusing story and did give me a chuckle I still don't think it really qualifies for an award. True, the use of the aerosol can & lighter as a means of insect control was downright stupid, but the fact that he tripped and accidentally killed himself in such spectacular fashion is just that - an accident. It's an amusing accident for sure, but it's not indicative of the level of stupidity needed for a DA. Thanks for sending this in, Marcos.

James said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
I concur with Bruce. While this is HIGHLY amusing and cartoony, it's still an accident! Thanks just the same, Marcos!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Urban Legend
I see this one as deserving as, you guessed it Marcos, an Urban Legend. Thanks for sending the story.

Graham said:
Neutral: Urban Legend
You gotta love urban legends like these. Are the police really smart enough to reconstruct this guys alleged final last moves?

Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Urban Legend
urban legend, but thanks!

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4