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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!

Davenport man hit by train

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Here is at least honorable mention. Any questions, feel free to email me. http://www.wqad.com/global/story.asp?s=8305981

by Kristy Mergenthal

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- A Davenport man is lucky to be alive after he was hit by a train while playing a very dangerous game.

It looked like a scene firefighters and medics train for, only this time it was real. 47 year old Robert Wrisberg hit by a train under the Locust street bridge.

"Knocked him out, tried to give cpr but that didn't work because he wasn't breathing and started breathing right after they (paramedics) got here" said Wrisberg's nephew Kyle Ostrander.

Responding crews had to use a pully system to save Wrisberg, who was hundreds of feet below the ambulance.

"Because of length and steepness of it I guess biggest challenge obviously didn't want our people to fall down hillside."

Wrisberg's nephew, Kyle Ostrander says the two had been drinking before the accident happened and were trying to put money on the railroad tracks.

"I wanted to put dime on there because forgot to do it before train came so he wanted to do it while train was going" said Ostrander.

Ostrander says that wasn't the first time he tried the dangerous stunt, but has never tried it while the train was moving past him.

"While it's coming you just wait, right after wheel goes over stick it on there flattens it and grab it real quick, it looks cool. Coin looks cool when it flattens out" said Ostrander.

Instead, this game nearly cost Wrisberg his life.

The engine of the train had already passed the two men when Wrisberg was hit, therefore the conductor didn't know anyone was injured.

Wrisberg was transferred to Iowa City, where he is currently in fair condition.

Submitted on 05/11/2008

Submitted by: anonymous
Reference: WQAD-TV 5/10/2008

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Ahh, alcohol, the chlorinator of the gene pool...! Granted, train accidents are too common and sticking stuff on the tracks is too common, but the game the nephew describes...kind of kicks it up a notch. Thank you for your submission of stupidty raising the bar.


Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Train/pedestrian accidents are way too common as far as I'm concerned but it sounds like this fellow went above the call by basically playing with a moving train. Since he wasn't killed he really only qualifies for an HM at the moment though. Thanks, Jordan.


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