Wendy says, "Not sure if I should use this one, or not...a fellow rescuing a bird? Hmm. Yeah it's stupid to stick a metal rod against a power line. But this fellow was trying very hard to rescue his beloved bird. Not a pair of shoes, which would be dumb, but an animal for which he was responsible. And the bird 'flew off in flames' how sad is that? On the balance, I think this is not quite right for the archive. But I do appreciate the submission, Mario."

(21 June 2009, Costa Rica) Hernán Guillermo Jiménez Montenegro died yesterday afternoon in Los Guido. His parrot had escaped its cage and made its way onto the electrical power lines. Its owner, a 42-year-old television producer, noticed the bird's predicament and had to rescue it. His first solution was simple but flawed. He climbed a ladder tried to grab the parrot--but it was out of reach. His second solution was more ingenious: He placed an extendable metal rod near the lines so the parrot could climb on. Unfortunately Jiménez failed to notice that his metallic instrument was dangerously near a 38.000-volt line. Witnesses report that the man flew at least 10 feet from the ladder. The parrot was also reported to have flown away, engulfed in flames.

http://www.aldia.cr/ad_ee/2009/junio/22/sucesos2003785.html

Hernán Guillermo Jiménez Montenegro, a 42 year old television producer, died yesterday afternoon in Los Guido, Costa Rica.

The man apparently had a parrot, which managed to escape its cage and make its way onto nearby electrical lines. According to official reports, when Jiménez sighted the parrot, he knew he had to get it down.

His solution was simple: strap a ladder to the nearest pole, and get the parrot down. Unfortunately the parrot was too far away to reach from the ladder. So our 42-year-old hero found another, more ingenious way: he went home, got an extendable metal rod, and placed it near the lines so the parrot could climb on.

Unfortunately he failed to notice that his metallic instrument was dangerously near a 38.000V primary line.

Witnesses report the man flew at least 10 feet from the ladder. The parrot was also reported to have flown away, engulfed in flames.

http://www.aldia.cr/ad_ee/2009/junio/22/sucesos2003785.html

Submitted on 06/22/2009

Submitted by: Mario
Reference: Al Día CR, Jun 22, 2009

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Electrocution is fairly common but I think the whole story surrounding this one is unique enough to allow it. Thanks, Mario.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I agree with Bruce.

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