That day had started like any other day, I was with 1 other friend and I was freshly 17 years old. we had suddenly had a bright idea to try to climb onto a sports shed of a school, and we felt confident we could manage it. Nearby there was a tree and it had one branch overhanging the shed, my freind and I climbed attempting to get across the one branch but a cracking sound quickly sent me back and I gave up the attempt on the shed, as did my freind. Instead I wanted to conquer the tree and managed to get to the top where I had found an interesting arangment of branches. With me and my high IQ level I decided to attempt a few pull ups, My freind was near the bottom of the tree at the time and i quickely was ready for my first attempt. I gripped the brach and let my self hang the branch held well, as I tried to pull myself up however I heard a snap that sent me into a state of shock and I let go, if i had held it I might have got some footing as the branch was still holding. I plunged somewhere between 30-40 feet and oddly I did not hit any branches on the way down and me being the flashy person I am attempted to land on my feet. I crumpled on the ground and in my extreme pain (from both my back and ankle) I called my friend and the first thing he asked was "are you ok?" then once he seen I was in pain he asked if I needed a doctor, notice not "ambulance". He called his mom and I got up with his and his mom's help to get to a small car and we drove to the hospital. At the time the pain was low as it was already more then I could bear but we arrived and after being taken into the emergency room I lied about how I fell and they layed me in a bed to find out later that I had narrowly avoided becoming paralyzed from the waist down from not one but 4 broken vertabrates as well a broken talus bone (in my ankle). My friend only knew the truth and he kept it to himself but from the height I fell if I had not landed feet first or landed on a branch on the way down I could have easily removed myself or steralized myself.

I am healthy now but have gained somewhat of a fear of trees and want to show my story, i know this is not darwin award material but I hope its humorous anyway.

Submitted on 03/13/2008

Submitted by: Jordan Ramstad
Reference: August 3, 2007

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Climbing to the top of a tall tree, holding on by your hands, then letting go when you hear it start to snap sounds like something right out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. I'm glad to hear you managed to not get paralyzed by this dumb stunt. Thanks, Jordan!

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
You lucky so-and-so! DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!! :-) Thanks for sharing, Jordan! That was a funny story!

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