Accident Report

 

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form. 

I had entered "poor planning" as the cause of my accident.   

You asked for a more detailed explanation and I trust the following 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-story building.  When I completed my work, I found that I had a relatively small pile of bricks left over which, when weighed later, were found to be slightly in excess of 350 lbs.  Rather than making many trips to carry the bricks down six stories by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a rope and 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 in, transferred the pile of bricks into the barrel, and swung the barrel back out.  Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the barrel and bricks.  You will note in Block 2 of the accident report form that I weigh 165 lbs.  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 containing 350 lbs of bricks, which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed.

  That accounts for the fractured skull, the broken collar bone, the abrasions, and deep bruises listed in section 3 of the accident report form.  Still tightly holding the rope and 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 enough presence of mind to hold tightly to the rope to keep from falling, in spite of being semi-conscious and beginning to experience quite a bit of pain.  Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks had just hit the ground and the bottom of the barrel disintegrated.  Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 40 lbs.  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 what was left of the barrel coming up.  This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

  Here my luck began to change slightly.  The latest encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I finally reached the ground and fell onto the pile of bricks and barrel pieces.  Fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked, although there were multiple cuts and bruises.

   I am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain and unable to move, I must have lost my composure and presence of mind - and let go of the rope.  I didn't think to look up where I would have seen the the empty barrel begin its journey back down.  This explains the two broken legs.

 I hope this was the information you needed.



agape