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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Boys Will Be Boys

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

First, here is the link to the article (it's literary journalism, so it's quite long): http://www.westword.com/2007-12-20/news/gone

You know how mothers always tell their sons to stay out of places they're not supposed to be, and they go anyways? Well Johnny Polzin was 23, but he and his friends made going into places they're not supposed to a hobby. They're what are called urban explorers, those who go venturing into abandoned buildings, factories and even missle silos, usually boarded or chained up to discourage illegal entry. On Sept. 9, 2007, Polzin and his two buddies decided to explore the abandoned Gates rubber factory, a site on which "The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has more than 300 files...some going back to 1988." The site is one of the most popular urban explorer sites, and one of the most dangerous. Aside from the potential biohazard dangers, neither of the three knew the layout of the site or what they'd encounter inside, which, of course, was the whole reason they were going in. They were also entering to take photos to post on the Web for other urban explorers and as art photography.

Up until the accident one man, Louis Adams, had been trying to warn to no avail contractors, and eventually the authorities, of the hazard of a particular elevator shaft in Unit 10, where Polzin and friends were entering. At the end of the hallway upon entering is a bank of windows that, in low light, give the illusion there is a continuous hallway. But Polzin and his friends carried no flashlights because they "didn't think they needed one." Moments after entering the hallway Polzin's two friends heard screams and when they went to investigate saw their friend had fallen 30 feet into the empty elevator shaft. He died three weeks later after several failed surgeries.

It's unfortunate Polzin was never able to finish his last semester at Metropolitan State College of Denver and that he had to serve as cautionary tale, but he is deserving of a coveted Darwin Award.

Submitted on 04/28/2008

Submitted by: claythescribe@yahoo.com
Reference: Westword (Denver alternative newspaper) - Dec. 20, 2007 (date published)

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
This sort of urban exploration is quite common but most of those who partake in the activity know well enough that a flashlight is required. Thanks for sending this in!


Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Let's see: an absolutely off-limits site, that a little research would have turned up numerous dangers within, they don't bring a flashlight, AND they don't use common sense? (Unknown territory =go slow.) Grade-A morons!


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