Man beheads himself in supermarket ("Clean Up! Aisle 6! Bring a mop!")

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | May 8 2003

[dead]

A 31-year-old South African man walked into a supermarket, picked up a power saw and decapitated himself in front of shocked shoppers, police said yesterday.

The incident happened in the port town of Richards Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.

Eyewitnesses said the man had appeared calm as he marched up to the meat counter, where he switched on a meat saw and placed his head under it.

Staff and shoppers had no time to react.

Superintendent Jay Naicker said the Shoprite Checkers store in Richards Bay had been ready to close on Monday when the man wandered in and headed for the meat department.

"He just walked in, went to the bandsaw machine and switched it on," Naicker told Reuters.

"Apparently he knew what he was doing. He put his neck to the blade and it cut about half way through before he fell to the floor."

Naicker said the man, later identified as 31-year-old Emmanuel Gumbi, was pronounced dead at the scene.

He did not leave a suicide note and according to his family he was not suffering from depression.

DPA

[CougarGA7]

Store Manager: "Just a heads up. There's a huge mess in the meat department that needs attention."

[tracer]

He probably had a chip on his shoulder, and the grocery store got their pound of flesh out of him for cutting into the head of the line.

His last words to those standing behind him was "Next!!"

And to think that his relatives said that he couldn't hack it. It sounds like he missed the point....

[ntnychik]

Hmm. He did this at a meat counter? Do you suppose he was an animal rights activist performing the ultimate protest?

[Conspiracy Guy]

"Apparently he knew what he was doing. He put his neck to the blade and it cut about half way through before he fell to the floor."

Did the butcher finish the job or did they just leave the poor guy hanging?

[Dr.Deth]

So who wanted to know how head cheese was made?

[MHGinTN]

This dude went to the meat department because he thought that was the only place the store could head him off. Can't imagine getting proper price cuts in the bakery department. You just come away toast. Produce department won't do, you just 'melon' out.

[Lazamataz]

According to family, next-door neighbors, and third grade teachers, people jumping off bridges, cutting off their head in the meat department, and serial killers are some of the most well-adjusted and likeable people on the planet.

Well, good thing, then -- because I am one of the most ill-adjusted, universally hated people on the planet.

So I have that going for me.

Which is nice.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Well, good thing, then -- because I am one of the most ill-adjusted, universally hated people on the planet.

Oh, please. Get in line. : )

[John Beresford Tipton]

"After many years of effort, this shop owner is finally getting ahead."

That's good.
For a while he was so busy that he was getting a little behind in his work.

[moyden2000]

Speaking of severed heads (Warning: graphic)

[humblegunner]

Gumbi the tool tester has determined that the quality of this power saw is inferior. It stopped halfway through.

Heads will roll, by gum!

[Reagan79]

*cleanup in aisle 6*

[RightOnline]

He was just released from prison that morning, as well, I believe.

That's right, folks..........Gumbi had just left the pokey.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Anyone seen Byron???? Byron_the_Aussie??? I'm concerned...

[Fzob]

A 31-year-old South African man walked into a supermarket, picked up a power saw and decapitated himself.....

Naicker said the man, later identified as 31-year-old Emmanuel Gumbi, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Good thing the writer let us know the decapitated guy was dead.

[Ben Bolt]

That must have been something to see .. Good heavens !

[sirshackleton]

Did they find any cork?