Strange Deaths

[Min Bannister]

Killed by exploding shark.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/two-fishermen-killed-shark-torpedo-26543179?

off The Lizard in Cornwall, when they spotted a huge shark

That will have been a basking shark. I struggle to sympathise with death by animal cruelty which probably makes me a bad person. Oh well.

 

[kamalktk]

Alligator kills man. No, not like that, car crash.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/us/alligator-crash-florida-trnd/index.html?

 

[CALGACUS03]

Woman died after hobby horse costume hit her in Cornwall, inquest hears​

Coroner seeks to establish if injuries Laura Smallwood sustained from an ‘obby oss’ caused her death

From (yeah, you guessed it) The Guardian.

 

[escargot]

From (yeah, you guessed it) The Guardian.

Reading between the lines there, something was going on that might have contributed to the accident.

The senior Cornwall coroner Andrew Cox said the inquest would look at whether Smallwood died as a consequence of injuries sustained in her clash with the oss.

He said another explanation was that she suffered from injuries caused during an altercation earlier that evening outside one of the celebrity chef Rick Stein’s businesses in the town.

The coroner said Smallwood may have sustained injuries caused by an unidentified event about 10 days earlier, or a fourth possibility was that she sustained some injuries in “some other way”.

This description sounds like a stroke -

Another witness, Charlotte Stupple, said that after the incident with the oss, Smallwood felt dizzy. She said: “Thirty seconds later Laura grabbed my arm and said: ‘Charlotte, my face.’ I could see the right side of her face by her mouth had dropped.” He breathing became laboured and she was taken to hospital.”

 

[CALGACUS03]

Some further info on the 'obby 'oss death in Padstow..

Woman’s death from horse costume in Cornwall prompts call for tighter rules​

Coroner says May Day event should be better managed after Laura Smallwood, 34, died in accident involving ‘obby oss’

From The Guardian here.

 

[brownmane]

Some further info on the 'obby 'oss death in Padstow..

From The Guardian here.

Reading the article, Scargy was correct about a stroke.

 

[Cochise]

Helicopters - dangerous all round.

Soldier Son was often transported in them on active service and said that in a military situation, there's no circling in case they get shot down.
The pilot locates the landing spot and drops like a stone onto it. Someone usually throws up.
Similar with taking off.

You also have to beware the blades as they tilt downwards as they slow down so you can catch your head in them.
A British father famously lifted up his small daughter near one some years ago with fatal results.

I don't know if it's a myth perpetrated through the archery community, but apparently you can bring down a low-flying helicopter with an arrow through the rotor blades - the arrow is moving so slowly relative to the blades it's bound to be hit by one.

Personally I'd have thought it would simply chop up the arrow but I don't know enough about the physics - the blades are presumably subject to a lot of intense forces and maybe would shatter?

 

[Trevp666]

Depends on the blades.
A lot of modern helicopters have blades that are made ultra-light from a foam material covered in a thin layer of polymer, molded over a central strengthening spar.
So I would expect that anything more solid than (eg) a large-ish bird hitting one would cause significant damage.
(You would hope that they are designed to cope with, at least, the likely event of a bird-strike).

 

[escargot]

I don't know if it's a myth perpetrated through the archery community, but apparently you can bring down a low-flying helicopter with an arrow through the rotor blades - the arrow is moving so slowly relative to the blades it's bound to be hit by one.

Personally I'd have thought it would simply chop up the arrow but I don't know enough about the physics - the blades are presumably subject to a lot of intense forces and maybe would shatter?

We need an archer to try this out.
Step forward @titch.

 

[Trevp666]

We need an archer to try this out.
Step forward @titch.

To be fair, we also need a helicopter.

 

[titch]

arrows are very flimsy, i have broken some just by trying to remove them from the target, i very much doubt it would do anything to a helicopter, unless you have explosives strapped to the arrow.

 

[Krepostnoi]

From (yeah, you guessed it) The Guardian.

Why do you draw particular attention to the source, in this case?

This description sounds like a stroke -

Agreed, it does. But it apparently occurred right after she was caught unawares by a blow to the back of the neck from a heavy wooden costume. I'm not a medical doctor, but I'd imagine that wouldn't tend to improve your day significantly.

 

[CALGACUS03]

Why do you draw particular attention to the source, in this case?

Sorry, it was just that when I typed it I realised that all the articles I link to seem to be from The Guardian.

 

[escargot]

Sorry, it was just that when I typed it I realised that all the articles I link to seem to be from The Guardian.

That's because it's a respectable broadsheet that doesn't use a paywall.

 

[escargot]

Agreed, it does. But it apparently occurred right after she was caught unawares by a blow to the back of the neck from a heavy wooden costume. I'm not a medical doctor, but I'd imagine that wouldn't tend to improve your day significantly.

There are different types of strokes with various causes. A brain injury directly resulting from head trauma is more likely to be a concussion.

 

[CALGACUS03]

That's because it's a respectable broadsheet that doesn't use a paywall.

Got it in one @escargot!

 

[EnolaGaia]

Here's another catalytic converter thief who died in the act. It's not clear what happened. The news report simply says the vehicle ran over him.

California man killed after car runs him over while trying to steal its catalytic converter, police say

A man died Monday after he was run over by a car he was trying to steal a catalytic converter from in Sacramento, California ...

Officers responded around 4:45 a.m. to reports of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian in the 8100 block of Timberlake Way ...

Police said that officers arrived at the scene and found the man with serious injuries. He was rushed to a hospital and was pronounced dead.

The man was identified as 28-year-old Jose Adolfo Rangel ...

Investigators said they believe the suspect was tampering with the vehicle to steal its catalytic converter before the collision. ...

FULL STORY: https://www.foxla.com/news/californ...g-to-steal-its-catalytic-converter-police-say

 

[EnolaGaia]

Update for closure on this January 2022 story from Maryland. At the time this man was found dead all his snakes were in their enclosures, and authorities had to wait for testing to confirm the most obvious possibility was in fact the cause of his death.

More than 100 snakes discovered during wellness check on dead Charles Co. man

FULL STORY: https://wtop.com/charles-county/202...during-wellness-check-on-dead-charles-co-man/

Maryland man with 124 snakes in his home died of a snake bite, officials say

A man found dead with 124 snakes in his home died of a snake bite, officials confirmed this week.

David Riston, 49, died of snake envenomation, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed to USA TODAY. Officials also confirmed his death was accidental.

Riston died in January in Pomfret, Maryland. Some of the snakes in his home included rattlesnakes, cobras, black mambas and a 14-foot-long Burmese python, according tomultiple reports. The snakes included venomous and nonvenomous varieties. ...

SOURCE: https://www.aol.com/news/maryland-man-124-snakes-home-121226665.html

 

[maximus otter]

Agreed, it does. But it apparently occurred right after she was caught unawares by a blow to the back of the neck from a heavy wooden costume. I'm not a medical doctor, but I'd imagine that wouldn't tend to improve your day significantly.

"Coroner Mr Cox heard that Laura may have suffered a 'minor incident' around ten days before the Obby Oss collision, which had likely caused some damage to her arteries.

The inquest was also told that Mrs Smallwood had earlier intervened in a row between a young couple and suffered a 'push, slap or wallop' to the face from a woman .

The hearing was told that scuffle left her with a mark on her face but she had 'laughed' it off." "

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...dstows-Day-parade-professionally-managed.html

maximus otter

 

[brownmane]

I am surprised that Obby Oss events like this don't have more safety measures in place. The costume looks very unwieldy and difficult to see or move while in it. With the huge crowds and festivities, I would think that the person playing the obby oss would need some help in maintaining their own safety.

 

[maximus otter]

I am surprised that Obby Oss events like this don't have more safety measures in place. The costume looks very unwieldy and difficult to see or move while in it. With the huge crowds and festivities, I would think that the person playing the obby oss would need some help in maintaining their own safety.

lt’s probably been going since the eighteenth century, if not before, and l’m not aware of any other deaths associated with it.

Considering the vanishingly rare circumstances - the deceased suffered an injury to the arteries in her neck ten days previously, which had been healing until she was struck by the ‘Obby ‘Oss - the chances of a recurrence are minuscule.

Allowing the dead hand of the Health and Safety industry to take over running the event would render it a pale shadow of its fun, anarchic self.

maximus otter

 

[Floyd1]

lt’s probably been going since the eighteenth century, if not before, and l’m not aware of any other deaths associated with it.

Considering the vanishingly rare circumstances - the deceased suffered an injury to the arteries in her neck ten days previously, which had been healing until she was struck by the ‘Obby ‘Oss - the chances of a recurrence are minuscule.

Allowing the dead hand of the Health and Safety industry to take over running the event would render it a pale shadow of its fun, anarchic self.

maximus otter

Yes, bloody 'Health & Safety'. They'll be banning Russian Roulette next.

 

[PeteS]

Here's another catalytic converter thief who died in the act. It's not clear what happened. The news report simply says the vehicle ran over him.

FULL STORY: https://www.foxla.com/news/californ...g-to-steal-its-catalytic-converter-police-say

Doesn't surprise me about these thefts. Price of metal is gigantic in the UK at the moment. Going rate for a pair of converters for recycling even on a trade to trade sale is £300.

 

[escargot]

Got it in one @escargot!

Well yup. One sees an intriguing post on an interesting thread with a link to what's promised is a fascinating item on the most riveting subject ever imaginable aaaaaand it's the Mail. Or the S*n.

OK, rightio, back to the Arguing About How To Pronounce 'Scone' thread it is then.

 

[maximus otter]

Couple electrocuted to death making art hyped on TikTok, officials say​

When investigators responded to an April 6 fire at a Wisconsin home, they were immediately stumped.

The house in Marathon County, northwest of Green Bay, was badly burned, and its owners were nowhere to be found. But once the blaze was extinguished, officers found two bodies in the garage — those of Tanya Rodriguez, 44, and James Carolfi, 52.

Firefighters suspected foul play, and Marathon County sheriff’s deputies started looking for clues to solve what they thought was a homicide case. Then, pathologists conducting the couple’s autopsies proposed a theory that changed the course of the investigation: that Rodriguez and Carolfi had died after electrocution from fractal wood burning.

Chief Deputy Chad Billeb confirmed the findings during a Thursday news conference.

“Foul play has been ruled out and the deaths are found to be accidental in nature and believed to be caused by electrocution from fractal wood burning,” he said.

Fractal wood burning pairs high-voltage electricity and a chemical solution to etch intricate designs into slabs of wood. The process creates what is referred to as Lichtenberg figures, a pattern discovered in 1777 by German physicist Georg Lichtenberg while he conducted static electricity experiments. The intricate designs — often seen in the scars of people who’ve been struck by lightning — resemble tree branches, lightning bolts or ferns.

The results have turned fractal wood burning into a social media phenomenon.

People trying the craft often pick apart microwaves or car batteries to remove the power supply, which is then connected through jumper cables to nails attached to a piece of wood slathered with a conductive solution of baking soda and water.

At least 33 people — ranging from rookies to experienced electricians — have died from fractal wood burning since 2016, according to the American Association of Woodturners.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...-art-hyped-on-tiktok-officials-say/ar-AAWBRvN

maximus otter

 

[brownmane]

Couple electrocuted to death making art hyped on TikTok, officials say​

When investigators responded to an April 6 fire at a Wisconsin home, they were immediately stumped.

The house in Marathon County, northwest of Green Bay, was badly burned, and its owners were nowhere to be found. But once the blaze was extinguished, officers found two bodies in the garage — those of Tanya Rodriguez, 44, and James Carolfi, 52.

Firefighters suspected foul play, and Marathon County sheriff’s deputies started looking for clues to solve what they thought was a homicide case. Then, pathologists conducting the couple’s autopsies proposed a theory that changed the course of the investigation: that Rodriguez and Carolfi had died after electrocution from fractal wood burning.

Chief Deputy Chad Billeb confirmed the findings during a Thursday news conference.

“Foul play has been ruled out and the deaths are found to be accidental in nature and believed to be caused by electrocution from fractal wood burning,” he said.

Fractal wood burning pairs high-voltage electricity and a chemical solution to etch intricate designs into slabs of wood. The process creates what is referred to as Lichtenberg figures, a pattern discovered in 1777 by German physicist Georg Lichtenberg while he conducted static electricity experiments. The intricate designs — often seen in the scars of people who’ve been struck by lightning — resemble tree branches, lightning bolts or ferns.

The results have turned fractal wood burning into a social media phenomenon.

People trying the craft often pick apart microwaves or car batteries to remove the power supply, which is then connected through jumper cables to nails attached to a piece of wood slathered with a conductive solution of baking soda and water.

At least 33 people — ranging from rookies to experienced electricians — have died from fractal wood burning since 2016, according to the American Association of Woodturners.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...-art-hyped-on-tiktok-officials-say/ar-AAWBRvN

maximus otter

Strange death, or stupid death? Taking apart batteries and then attaching jumper cables and adding a conductive material, all without any thought to the hazards of playing with electricity - I guess none of the people have ever, as young children, played with a plug and socket? If they had, maybe they would have more respect for electricity.

Also, the Lichtenberg figures were identified as specific scars left from a person hit by lightning. Should be first clue that it's dangerous.

 

[Coal]

Couple electrocuted to death making art hyped on TikTok, officials say​

When investigators responded to an April 6 fire at a Wisconsin home, they were immediately stumped.

The house in Marathon County, northwest of Green Bay, was badly burned, and its owners were nowhere to be found. But once the blaze was extinguished, officers found two bodies in the garage — those of Tanya Rodriguez, 44, and James Carolfi, 52.

Firefighters suspected foul play, and Marathon County sheriff’s deputies started looking for clues to solve what they thought was a homicide case. Then, pathologists conducting the couple’s autopsies proposed a theory that changed the course of the investigation: that Rodriguez and Carolfi had died after electrocution from fractal wood burning.

Chief Deputy Chad Billeb confirmed the findings during a Thursday news conference.

“Foul play has been ruled out and the deaths are found to be accidental in nature and believed to be caused by electrocution from fractal wood burning,” he said.

Fractal wood burning pairs high-voltage electricity and a chemical solution to etch intricate designs into slabs of wood. The process creates what is referred to as Lichtenberg figures, a pattern discovered in 1777 by German physicist Georg Lichtenberg while he conducted static electricity experiments. The intricate designs — often seen in the scars of people who’ve been struck by lightning — resemble tree branches, lightning bolts or ferns.

The results have turned fractal wood burning into a social media phenomenon.

People trying the craft often pick apart microwaves or car batteries to remove the power supply, which is then connected through jumper cables to nails attached to a piece of wood slathered with a conductive solution of baking soda and water.

At least 33 people — ranging from rookies to experienced electricians — have died from fractal wood burning since 2016, according to the American Association of Woodturners.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...-art-hyped-on-tiktok-officials-say/ar-AAWBRvN

maximus otter

Death by idiocy.

 

[ramonmercado]

Some further info on the 'obby 'oss death in Padstow..

From The Guardian here.

The 'Obby 'Oss Festival is back! Time for a Folk Horror film about it.

A May Day celebration in Cornwall has returned after being cancelled because of Covid-19 for the past two years.

Padstow's two 'Obby 'Oss - wooden hobby horse - costumes have been parading for the first time since 2019. The ancient tradition, believed to welcome the coming of summer, saw thousands of people line the streets cheering when the blue ribbon 'Oss appeared at about 10:00 BST.
Its red-ribboned rival began its celebrations about an hour later.

The 'Osses were accompanied by traditional music provided by drums and accordion, as well as costumed dancers.

Spectator Barry McCann, who has frequently travelled from Lancashire to Padstow to see the festival, said he liked it because "it means tradition".

He said: "It's driven by tradition. Everybody has their place in it, they all have and know their roles. Their roles, I understand, are passed down, from father to son, mother to daughter."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-61296744

 

[uair01]

Body found under collapsed hand-dug tunnel Heerlen
In Heerlen, a tunnel collapsed this morning. After a long dig, emergency services found a dead person under the rubble. According to 1Limburg, it is a hand-dug tunnel.
According to the South Limburg Safety Region, the tunnel on the Palemigerboord has recently been dug. How the tunnel could collapse is still being investigated.
Emergency services were busy today for several hours with the reopening of the tunnel. Around 13:00, the safety region announced that someone was under the rubble. That person could no longer be saved.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2427719-lich...ngestorte-met-de-hand-gegraven-tunnel-heerlen

 

[EnolaGaia]

A Florida woman is believed to have died after falling into her own septic tank while watering her plants.

North Port woman dies after falling in septic tank while gardening, police say

A North Port woman was found dead in her own septic tank on Tuesday, according to police.

North Port spokesman Josh Taylor told 8 On Your Side that police believe the woman was watering her plants when she fell through the lid. ...

“It appears where she either a fell into a hole that was created from her septic tank caving in or her weight itself it caved in right as she was standing on it,” Taylor said.

However, it did not appear the woman drowned, according to Taylor.

Authorities said the woman’s family called for a welfare check after not hearing from her, which led to her discovery. ...

Authorities are still investigating what caused the woman’s death, but they said there does not appear to be foul play. ...

FULL STORY: https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-county/north-port-woman-found-dead-in-septic-tank-reports-say/