artin Shaw, a veteran protester from Ealing, west London, suffered multiple fractures after falling from a bridge in Lausanne.

In the incident involving Mr Shaw, Swiss officials said about 15 activists had staged a sit-down protest on the A1 expressway bridge, over the Aubonne river.

Activists blocked traffic on a highway bridge by putting a rope across it, with a person attached to either end.

A policeman that had not noticed the two people suspended... cut the rope with a knife to clear the passage.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2954964.stm

There are some more reports, e.g. in the Guardian that Mr. Shaw sued the police, however he lost the case.

Of course the activists see it a bit differently. Click here for a full coverage of their view, including video, photostory, press contact etc. http://www.aubonnebridge.net/index.php

Even though you might support their case, I'd rate the idea as plain stupid and worth a honorable mention.

Submitted on 01/04/2005

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: BBC, June 2, 2003

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Since there was no evidence of any notice that there were people hanging from the rope, I'll go for this one. If you want cops to communicate with you, you have to communicate with them.

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I generally don't like stories with a political overtone, but - as with the train blocker - this is too good to reject.

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I have to agree with Daniel here -- it was stupid not to let the police know that there were people hanging off the ends of the rope. And hanging off the rope was stupid anyway -- what if some angry citizen had driven through at speed?

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