Australian Brick Layer report

[andrew247]

I find this quite funny

Originally Posted by A website where I found this

AUSTRALIAN BRICKLAYER'S REPORT

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-storey 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 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
135lbs. 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 explains 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 50lbs. 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, that 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.

[kcmandava]

Funny, and good thinking on the author's part.

[mondine]

Whoo, that particular urban myth has been around for a loooong while now.
On the other hand it made on of the funnier episodes on "MythBusters" (who decided that it was at least plausible).

[Andylkl]

Originally Posted by mondine

Whoo, that particular urban myth has been around for a loooong while now.
On the other hand it made on of the funnier episodes on "MythBusters" (who decided that it was at least plausible).

Yeah, classic urban legend. I've seen it plenty of times before. :P Snopes also covered it.

[kcmandava]

Originally Posted by Andylkl

Yeah, classic urban legend. I've seen it plenty of times before. :P Snopes also covered it.

Yeah the site was cool. Its got a lot of stuff there.