I don't know who's more stupid. The 'alleged' guy who wrote this BS
by modifying a story that's been floating around as an insurance claim
letter from the 60's, or the people who actually believe it.

The only intelligent guy in the whole mess is the unknown comedian
from probably the 50's that started the whole thing as the 'farm accident'.

" "fenian" wrote in message
. ..
(from the Darwin Awards list of Nominees)
Although this contestant did not kill himself (this time), we expect to
be
amused with the details of his demise in the near future. This man was
in
an
accident and was therefore required to fill out an insurance claim form.
The
insurance company contacted him and asked for additional information.
This
was his response: "I am writing in response to your request for
additional
info for Block 3 of the accident reporting form. I put 'poor planning'
as
the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain
more
fully and I trust the following details are sufficient.

"I'm an amateur radio operator and on the day of the accident, I was
working
alone on the top section of my new 80 foot tower. When I had completed
my
work, I discovered that I had, over the course of many trips up the
tower,
brought up some 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather than
carry
the now un-needed tools and materials down by hand, I decided to lower
the
items down in a small barrel by using a pulley, which was fortunately
attached to the gin pole at the top of the tower. Securing the rope at
ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools and
materials into the barrel. Then I went back down and untied the rope,
holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the barrel. You will note
in
Block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh only 150
pounds.
Due to my surprise of 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 rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In
the
vicinity of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This
explains
my fractured skull and broken collarbone. 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 onto the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same
time,
however, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the bottom fell out of
the
barrel. Devoid of the weight of tools, the barrel now weighed
approximately
20 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in Block number 11. As you
might
imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. In the
vicinity
of the 40 foot level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the
two
fractured ankles, and the lacerations on my legs and lower body. The
encounter with the barrel slowed me down enough to lessen my injuries
when I
fell onto the pile of tools and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were
cracked. I'm sorry to report however, that as I lay there on the tools,
in
pain, unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above, I
again
lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope and..."