Wendy says, "Accepted into the Archive. (at risk survivor)"

When I was in aviation electronics school in the service, my instructor began his class on "Insulators" with this observation: "Wood is a non-conductor, right? Don't you believe it!"

His story: I had bought an acre outside town. The property was covered in Popular trees about five inches thick and twenty feet tall. With axe in hand, I set out to clear out the backyard. My wife expressed some concern about the high voltage power lines that passed along the edge of the backyard but I told her there was nothing to worry about because wood is non-conductive. A few minutes of work later, one of my mighty blows felled a tree, which fell directly onto one of the power lines. I stood there transfixed as I watched the blue electricity snake down the trunk of the tree and up the axe handle, which I still had both hands on, and blow me twenty feet across the yard. Fortunately my wife and daughter witnessed the event. In the hospital, my palms and the soles of my feet were treated for third degree burns but I stayed in the hospital for two weeks until my arms quit uncontrollably shaking.

Submitted on 01/12/2010

Submitted by: Carin Gleason
Reference:

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
In the right situations virtually anything can conduct electricity. Thanks for the amusing anecdote, Carin!

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Wood may be non-conductive, which is why he merely suffered burns as opposed to being reduced to overcooked bacon! Axe handles aren't, and electricity always follows the path of least resistance! Thanks, Carin!

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