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February 9, 2010
'Gas explosion' caused by man's buttocks
Published: 10 Nov 09 10:20 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20091110-23171.html
A reported explosion sparked a dramatic effort to save a 21-year-old man until authorities realised he had simply sat on a gas pistol in a drunken haze, police in North Rhine-Westphalia reported on Tuesday.
- Opel boss unveils plan to slash 8,300 jobs - National (9 Feb 10)
- Hamburg politician puts the 'I' in street de-icing - Society (9 Feb 10)
- Germany facing another blast of winter weather - National (8 Feb 10)
The young man described what he assumed to be a gas explosion that “came from below” in dramatic detail as the call was interrupted by his coughs and wheezing.
“They should bring all gas masks,” the man said according to the police.
They arrived on the scene around 1:30 am to find the man wearing his own gas mask and waving. He then described how he had sat on one of his chairs as a loud bang occurred, filling his home with gas.
But police found that he had actually sat on a loaded gas-powered pistol tucked between the cushions a few days earlier without a locked safety.
The man, who had a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent, refused to remove his gas mask and continued to “boast of his brave self-rescue,” the statement said.
Police confiscated other pyrotechnic objects and tear gas from the apartment full of rubbish and are investigating whether they can press charges for the false alarm or illegal weapons possession.
The Local (news@thelocal.de)
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