A 22-year-old man is lucky to be alive, and perhaps had some sense knocked into him when he pulled a classic Darwin move involving flammable gas. Our hero suffered first-degree burns to his chest and face when he attempted to fill a plastic bag with acetylene gas.

He and some friends had started a bonfire at the construction site where he was working, and he decided it would be a "good idea" to fill the bag with the gas and throw it onto the bonfire to create an explosion.

He got his explosion, just not when he expected or wanted it. The gas exploded as he was filling the bag, blowing windows out of the construction trailer and the smile off the victim's face.

Submitted on 02/14/2007

Submitted by: Jody LaFerriere
Reference: Fitchburg Sentinal 2/12/07

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Thanks, Jody. We received a similar story of a mook who played with acetylene gas, but this one's a different incident altogether. With the bonfire already started, this was an accident waiting to happen. It says something about our society in that the police won't press charges. Thus duly enabled, he'll live to try this stunt again! I'll go nominal HM on this one!

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Other
I'd normally vote for a DA on this one, but this MORON seriously jeopardized the lives of those around him. Still, it is a SUPREME example that 10,000 years of evolution has done squat for human 'intelligence'. Thanks, Jody.

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Playing with acetylene is definitely risky hobby! No bystanders were hurt so I vote a definite Honorable Mention. Thanks for teh story, Jody

Shadow said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
a definite bonehead move and though he did risk others no one was harmed... an honorable mention indeed...