At the christening day we gathered to decide who would be the first to jump the small seven inch high concoction. My brother's friend insisted that HE be the first to try because it was HIS idea, HIS material and HIS house we were testing it at. We agreed, and we were glad he was our guinnea pig afterward. We set up the ramp on a sidewalk that ran along his place and he started from about 20 feet away. He came pedalling hard and fast at the ramp and successfully reached the mark. But his foot pedal was arrested when it struck the front face of the boards, and what should have been a free feeling jump turned into a sudden spilling crash.

He came down fast, didn't even get to shriek in fear. He came down hard on his chin, and cheek before his body hit the pavement. His bike, fortunately tumbled off and landed a few feet ahead of him, missing crushing him with its metal frame. It seemed the 'wedge' shape of his ramp had a flaw on it. As his parents came running out to cart off his screaming bloody faced self to the hospital we were all grateful that we weren't the first to have a pavement faceplant.

He wasn't quite the same after that, he was more humbled, quieter. But one thing for sure; his inventing days were over.

Submitted on 03/12/2010

Submitted by: Grifter
Reference: Personal Account - circa 1994

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Great PA, Grifter. Thanks for sharing it with us.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
I certainly hope he doesn't pursue architecture or civil engineering! Thanks, Grifter!

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