Jack
Member
    
Posts: 1889
VRCC# 3099, 1999 Valk Standard, 2006 Rocket 3
Benton, Arkansas
|
 |
« on: February 04, 2010, 04:54:38 AM » |
|
 (CNN) -- A 62-year-old Michigan man was severely burned when a homemade rocket strapped on his back exploded while he slid down a snowy hill on a sled, authorities said this week. The rocket stunt was the grand finale on Saturday during the man's annual sledding party at his Oakland County, Michigan, home, the sheriff's department said. "He is known for doing 'crazy things' at his parties," an Oakland County sheriff's department statement said. "On this date, after consuming an unknown quantity of alcohol, he constructed a device out of a motorcycle muffler and pipe." Inside the makeshift rocket, the victim placed gunpowder, heads from matches and gasoline. He donned a helmet and took a sled to the top of a snowy embankment. "He asked another person to light a wick and then began to sled down a hill. At some point during the ride downhill, the device exploded. The results of the explosion were second-degree burns to the victim's face," the sheriff's department statement said. No one else was injured during the incident. The man, whose identity is not yet known, was hospitalized with significant damage to one of his eyes and could face criminal charges, authorities said. 
|
|
|
Logged
|
"It takes a certain kind of nut to ride a motorcycle, and I am that motorcycle nut," Lyle Grimes, RIP August 2009.  
|
|
|
RTaz
Member
    
Posts: 1319
Michigan...Home of InZane X -XI
Oscoda, Michigan
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2010, 05:00:13 AM » |
|
...and you guys thought we didn't have any redneck's up here hahaha...I wonder if that motorcycle muffler was off a Valk?
|
|
|
Logged
|
 RTaz
|
|
|
BradValk48237
|
 |
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2010, 05:52:17 AM » |
|
Saw pictures of it...not a muffler, just a section of exhaust pipe from a car....looks like the curved part from the header........ filled with gas and gunpowder, tried to seal one end with tinfoil!!!!!!!! He did wear a helmet and a garbage bag for protection..... See if he did not have the helmet, think what could have happened! 
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Rescueroy
|
 |
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2010, 06:04:49 AM » |
|
He was one of those guys from eastern Michigan. Roy
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Mikey
|
 |
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2010, 06:24:50 AM » |
|
I don't think people from the warmer states realize what these winter months will do to a guy... It honestly doesn't surprise me that this happened. It does surprise me that the guy is 62...
|
|
|
Logged
|
Remember folks, street lights timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph VRCC# 30782
|
|
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
    
Posts: 16631
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
 |
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2010, 09:55:30 AM » |
|
It does surprise me that the guy is 62... Do you mean it surprises you that a 62 year old man would do this or it surprises you that a man who would do this has lived to be 62 years old?
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
    
Posts: 16631
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
 |
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2010, 09:59:22 AM » |
|
... and could face criminal charges, authorities said. Does it occur to anyone else that our criminal "justice" system may be a bit out of control?
My son has a tee shirt that reads, "Stupidity is not illegal, so you're free to go." I think he may need to get a refund on that garment.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Jess from VA
|
 |
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2010, 10:08:42 AM » |
|
Saw that yesterday. Funniest thing I've read in a while.
Sorry for his burns, but anyone stupid enough to strap a gasoline bomb on his back doesn't deserve too much sympathy.
He will probably be contacted by the Taliban with a (short term) job offer.
We could take up a collection to get him a Nomex suit........ for next time.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Big Rig
|
 |
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2010, 10:09:34 AM » |
|
I would not charge him, but I would put his name and picture on the front page of the local paper... Busted for being a moron...that is a tough one to live down... 
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Redline +
|
 |
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2010, 03:51:22 PM » |
|
I think you boys are being to hard on this gentleman...it ain't easy to be a Rocket Scientist. Don't you remember how many NASA rockets exploded on the pad before they figured it out...and they had better tinfoil. Redline
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
RoadKill
|
 |
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2010, 04:03:49 PM » |
|
They should ban tinfoil all together before any one else gets hurt. I dont remember EVER seeing a disclaimer on a box of tinfoil stating that it's is not intended for rocket making OR sledding. He should sue! 
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
bsnicely
|
 |
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2010, 04:43:37 PM » |
|
 Not quite a " Rocket Scientist " huh??
|
|
|
Logged
|
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.
|
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
    
Posts: 16631
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
 |
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2010, 06:15:08 PM » |
|
Not quite a " Rocket Scientist " huh?? That's rather arbitrary, isn't it? The man makes one little mistake and you're gonna pull his credentials.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
bsnicely
|
 |
« Reply #14 on: February 04, 2010, 06:19:27 PM » |
|
If the shoe fits ya gotta wear it......  One thing I have learned in 33 yrs of law enforcement, It helps to be at least as smart as the equipment you are attempting to operate......... 
|
|
« Last Edit: February 04, 2010, 06:22:01 PM by bsnicely »
|
Logged
|
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.
|
|
|
RTaz
Member
    
Posts: 1319
Michigan...Home of InZane X -XI
Oscoda, Michigan
|
 |
« Reply #15 on: February 04, 2010, 06:24:20 PM » |
|
Original post removed by me RTaz
It seems momz took offense to my post....I FORMALLY APOLOGIZE TO YOU GEORGE....I meant it simply as a joke....I truly meant no harm by it....
|
|
« Last Edit: February 05, 2010, 06:54:24 AM by RTaz »
|
Logged
|
 RTaz
|
|
|
T-Bird
Member
    
Posts: 2487
A friend is one who takes me for what I am.
Cleveland, Tennessee
|
 |
« Reply #16 on: February 04, 2010, 09:02:47 PM » |
|
Give the man a break, it could of been worse...he could of got drunk and got married!!! 
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Rocketman
|
 |
« Reply #17 on: February 05, 2010, 12:57:26 AM » |
|
Not quite a " Rocket Scientist " huh?? That's rather arbitrary, isn't it? The man makes one little mistake and you're gonna pull his credentials. Speaking as one of the resident NASA guys: we wouldn't pull his credentials. We'd just move him into management where he can't do any more damage. Of course, if he had used duct tape instead of tin foil, then maybe we could talk...
|
|
« Last Edit: February 05, 2010, 01:22:36 AM by Rocketman »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Kaz
|
 |
« Reply #18 on: February 05, 2010, 05:38:53 AM » |
|
Putting folks that can't do anything and don't have a clue about whats going on, in Management is a common practice. That's what they teach them to do in those MBA courses. 
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|