Shell staff say the man wanted a screw to mend the container, but when one wasn't available he decided to weld it. "It went bang, & burning petrol spilled everywhere.' staff said. It spread across the forecourt, dangerously close to a sump where oil & other volatile materials spilled are collected. To further compound the problem, the man opted to try putting the fire out with water. Staff believe the petrol burned out while water was being poured on it.

After the fire the man retreated further away from the petrol station to apprently continue his efforts to repair the container befor returning -leak fixed - filling it & paying for the petrol." Not a full Award, but an Honourable Mention? Somebody this stupid is likely to win full award before long - I will let you know!

Submitted on 05/18/2006

Submitted by: Dale S. Irwin
Reference: Waiheke Week, May 18, 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Normally, this sort of thing would be too common, but this fellow just kept on keepin' on! I guess there's enough of a variety of drooling hare-brained stupidity for me to give this one the nod!

Jorge said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention

Greg said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
The location mixed with the persistence makes me go Neutral on this. Thanks.

Fitzroy said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
As a curious aside, I do wonder why staff did not direct that guy to take his business elsewhere after the first fire. I'm not strongly negative on this one, but somehow it just doesn't feel big enough. It does have some amusement value though, and I appreciate that.

Jack said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I'm curious as to how he attempted to "weld" a plastic gas container. This makes me wonder about the veracity of the story.

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