Darwin Awards Newsletter -- December 1999 THE DARWIN AWARDS What Are They? The Darwin Awards recognize evolution in action by commemorating the remains of individuals who inadvertently kill themselves by their own stupidity, thereby improving the contents of our gene pool. This issue includes two fashion fatalities, and an unhealthy love affair. Our website now features RealAudio of favorite Darwin Awards, with realistic sound effects! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe! news@darwinawards.com (Subject: Subscribe) Cancel? news@darwinawards.com (Subject: Cancel) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Underwire Bras Deadly Two London women became victims of fashion when their underwire bras acted as electrical conductors on Wednesday. Anuban and Sunee were enjoying a break from shopping by taking a walk in Hyde Park, when a thunderstorm drove them under a tree for shelter. The Thailand natives were struck by a bolt of lightning, which killed them instantly. Their bodies were ignored by other walkers until the following day, when it became apparent that they were not simply sleeping vagrants. Forensic evidence revealed that the lightning discharge was channeled into the metal brassieres, leaving burn marks on their chests. The coroner stated that it was only the second time in his experience of 50,000 deaths where an underwire brassiere was implicated in an electrocution death. The inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. www.DarwinAwards.com ) 1999 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Fatal Footwear Fashion Platform shoes, a must-have fashion accessory for young Japanese women, have already claimed two lives in Tokyo. More deaths are predicted if young women continue to follow in their footsteps. The first victim, a 25-year-old nursery-school teacher, died in her car after suffering a skull fracture from a fall from her 13-cm platform sandals earlier that day. The second victim was a passenger killed in a car crash when the vehicle hit a concrete pole. The driver, a 25-year-old office worker, was unable to hit the brake because her 8-cm heels got in the way. With the soles of some shoes reaching as high as 30 cm, health experts are urging the public to take steps to prevent painful foot and back injuries. In light of recent tragedies, police are asking concerned citizens to warn fashion-minded friends and family before a platform shoe mishap befalls them. "Il faut souffrir pour jtre belle." One must suffer to be beautiful... but fashion kills. www.DarwinAwards.com ) 1999 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Vote on the Darwin Awards at http://www.darwinawards.com/?1299 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mother Loves Son (November 1999, California) The Darwin Hall of Shame Award goes to an Antioch mother and son allegedly involved in an incestuous relationship. The couple has a 22-month-old daughter, and the woman is pregnant with their second child. The 43-year-old woman and her 23-year-old son have apparently been romantically involved for several years. Authorities became aware of the relationship when the woman's 10-year-old daughter told school officials she didn't want to live at home anymore because her mother wanted her to call her brother Daddy. The woman told police that her live-in lover was not her son, but birth certificates confirm that they are related. Officials are pursuing the case because of the elevated potential for genetic disorders in children born to blood relatives. "They're having children and it looks like they're not going to quit anytime soon," said Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira, who decided to pursue charges of felony incest. "That put me over the edge." www.DarwinAwards.com ) 1999 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ More Darwin Awards at http://www.darwinawards.com/?1299 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subscribe! news@darwinawards.com (Subject: Subscribe) Cancel? news@darwinawards.com (Subject: Cancel) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++