Real good laugh

**Hemi RT** · 08-21-2007, 07:38 PM

For those of you that don't read all the forums.

Another "priceless" moment in history.

**BAKBRNR** · 08-21-2007, 10:53 PM

I always thought this story was pretty funny as well, although it's most likely just that, a story

The Brick Layer

Possibly the funniest story in a long while. This is a bricklayer's
accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian
equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board. This is a true story.
Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for sure.......

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your request for additional information in
Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the cause
of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the
following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working
alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my
work, found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later
were found to be slightly in excess of 500lbs. Rather than carry the
bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a
pulley, which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth
floor.

Securing the rope to the ground I went up to the roof, swung the barrel
out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the
rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.
You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135
lbs. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I
lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to
say, I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel, which was now
proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed. This explained the
fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collar bone, as listed
in Section 3 of the accident report form. I slowed only slightly, I
continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right
hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately by this time I
had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the
rope, in spite of beginning to experience pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the
ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight
of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I refer you
again to my weight. As you can imagine, I began a rapid descent, down
the side of the building.
In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This
accounts for the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and several
lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here my luck began to change
slightly.
The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my
injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three
vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there
on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to move, I again lost my
composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there
watching the empty barrel begin its journey back down onto me. This
explains the two broken legs.
I hope this answers your inquiry .