Clifton Labounty Jr., 68, received second- and third-degree burns to 80 to 90 percent of his body.

He and his son, Clifton Labounty III, operated a scrap metal yard at their home at 2 Page Hill Road. The father and son were attempting to drain the gas tank of a pickup Tuesday afternoon using a power drill. They were drilling holes in the gas tank when a spark ignighted the fuel. It was not an unusual technique for the men to use, fire officials said, but this time gas fumes ignited.

Labounty was taken by helicopter to the Boston hospital’s burn center. His son received minor burns to his hands.

I don't know if this is a true Darwin Award because he was doing it with his son and his son survived. This gene pool gets carried on.

Submitted on 10/17/2011

Submitted by: Rick Fraser
Reference: onon leadre, oct 12 2011

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm willing to accept this because the article states this was a common technique for both of them to use, and they definitely should have known better. Thanks, Rick.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I have to agree with Bruce. Drilling holes in gas tanks in order to drain the contents surely cannot be standard operating procedure!

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