ADVERTISEMENTCHARLOTTE, N.C. —

A man who grabbed a knife to try to get his two young children out of a locked car died when he fell on the blade, Charlotte police said.

The Charlotte Observer reported that 22-year-old Miguel Angel Rivera Lemus died Sunday afternoon at Carolinas Medical Center after being stabbed in the chest.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were investigating but said Lemus' death appears to have been an accident.

Lemus and his wife had dropped by their apartment briefly before planning an errand when they realized they had locked their children and keys in the car, authorities said.

The woman searched for spare keys and Lemus grabbed a large butcher knife he hoped to use to pry open a window, police said. Lemus fell down six stairs and landed on the knife, police said.

The woman got the children out with the spare keys.

Submitted on 08/25/2008

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Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,409965,00.html

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
A BUTCHER knife!?! To open a car!? What happened to wire coathangers? And why the heck was he careless enough to fall down the stairs when caution is the byword when dealing with knives. Nevermind his wife opened the car in no time with the spare keys. Thanks, and submit again!

Candi said:
Neutral: Other

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Other
While the use of a knife to try to pry open a car window is pretty stupid, as is the apparent panic that seems to have overcome this guy, I'm afraid I have to vote against this one. It sounds like he tripped on the stairs while going out to the car and fell on the knife as a result. However even if he didn't have a knife in his hand he could have seriously injured or killed himself by falling down the stairs. I'm inclined to chalk this up as an unfortunate accident. Thanks just the same.

Bruce said:
Neutral: Other

Candi said:
Neutral: Other

Tracy said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Ooh, I'm torn with this one. On the one hand, it could be just a terrible accident, caused by running with a knife. But there again - the fact that his first thought was to go for the knife, whereas his wife went sensibly for the spare keys, does have an element of humour in it! I'm going for a DA - I think this could be humourous!