Possibly the funniest story in a long while. This is a
bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the
newsletter of Australia 's Workers' Compensation board.
It 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, I 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 at 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.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.