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
Ifell 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..."
73
Tom W7WHY
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