Man hurt using explosives in backyard sledding stunt BY BILL LAITNER FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Comments (8) Recommend (1) Print E-mail Letter to the editor Share Facebook Twitter Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Newsvine Buzz up! A 62-year-old Independence Township man hosting an outdoor winter party in his backyard was rushed to the hospital Sunday night after the explosive backpack he rigged to power him on a sled exploded, police said.

Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office responded to the 6000 block of Townview at 7:35 p.m. to aid the party host who had burns over 18% of his body, Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said.

“Apparently, he has this sledding party every year, and he always does outrageous things at it, but he’s never blown himself up before,” McCabe said today. Before the mishap, the man had been drinking, he said.

The man is thought to have constructed the backpack from a used automotive muffler, which he filled with gasoline and gunpowder, “trying to get a rocket-launch effect,” McCabe said.

“He asked another person to light a wick and then began to sled down a hill. At some point during the ride, the device exploded,” he said. The man suffered second-degree burns to his face and right side of his body, and possible eye injuries, according to a police memo. He was rushed to POH Medical Center in Pontiac where he was in stable condition today, McCabe said.

Police did not release the man’s name. No charges have been filed but police are considering whether to charge the man with possession of an explosive device, McCabe said. Officers confiscated the man’s orange plastic sled, a motorcycle helmet he wore during the incident and the muffler-launcher device as evidence, according the a memo from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Contact BILL LAITNER: 586-826-7264 or blaitner@freepress.com.

Submitted on 02/01/2010

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Detroit Free Press February 1, 2010

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
This guy has watched WAY too many cartoons if he thinks he can simply take a muffler and pack it with gasoline and gunpowder to create a rocket. What an utter moron! Thanks for sending this in!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Gasoline AND gunpowder? Was he trying for explosion or cremation? I think this is one of the most unique subs _ever_! Thanks, and definitely submit again!

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