Canadian loses fingers in tug-of-war

upi ^ | Sept. 26, 2010

[JoeProBono]

BEAR RIVER, Nova Scotia, - A 59-year-old Canadian man was recovering Sunday after surgeons reattached four fingers severed during a tug-of-war contest in Nova Scotia, officials said.

Jim Thurber, a recently retired Digby municipal warden, was taking part in a friendly festival competition in Bear River Bear River Saturday when his fingers got caught and were sliced off, QMI Agency reported. He was being treated at a hospital in Halifax.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the severed digits from Thurber's left hand were quickly put on ice and he was rushed to the hospital in Halifax.

"He just retired from being warden for 10 years," his sister-in-law, Phyllis Thurber, said. "He was just going to relax and go golfing and enjoy life, so it's kind of a blow. He's a very nice guy, the best you could find."

[JoeProBono]

July 20th, 2008 Local Team Claims Men's 1700lb Tug of War Championship at the 145th Antigonish Highland Games

ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The Antigonish North men's team held off Falmouth to win the Northeastern Nova Scotia Tug of War Championship at the 2008 Antigonish Highland Games. The final in the 1700lb class was held Sunday afternoon in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd in the stands at Columbus Field.

The final had a 15 minute time limit with five minutes of overtime. But after 15 minutes of pulling, the local team had a decisive upper hand over the struggling Falmouth team.

Antigonish team member Paul MacGillivray has been pulling Tug of War for two years. His involvement in the sport isn't surprising - family members from two generations before him have also competed on local Tug of War teams.

MacGillivray says today’s win resulted from hard work and practice behind the scenes.

[JoeProBono]

Highland Games in Antigonish

[Farmer Dean]

Bet that he wrapped the rope around his hand.

[sinanju]

That’s my guess too, and I know that’s a big no-no.

How else does one’s hand get “caught” on a rope?

[JoeProBono]

The Tug of War competition is one of the most exhausting and competitively fought-over contests you will see. Here you will see 8 men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who encourages the team and shouts instructions of technique to ensure they pull their opposite number across the line. It is surprising to find that tug of war is such a fiercely fought over event especially in the Highlands of Scotland. This event is well worth watching, the techniques are well established and enthralling to watch for the spectator

[Krankor]

This guy was a lot luckier than these kids

[JoeProBono]

>How else does one’s hand get “caught” on a rope?

[dr_who]

Bound to be worse in Newfoundland.

[BobL]

I was wondering where Rush was for his Friday show...LOL.

[Past Your Eyes]

Hey doc, will I be able to play the piano when I recover?

[JoeProBono]

Newfoundland VS. Lab-- Tug O' War

[JoeProBono]

[I still care]

There is a show that airs on I think Disney Family Channel, called the World’s Great Festivals. It’s one of those shows that look so good in HD, and it’s very interesting. They did Sicily, and the Phillipines, and they also did the Scottish Highland one.

They do this march of the Clans where they march from Village to village, in full regalia, and having quite a bit of whiskey as they travel. Catch it if you can. I know they do some marches here, but the one through all the scottish villages was really neat.