Scrap Worker Accidentally Fires Howitzer

Yahoo/Reuters ^ | 9-13-02

[SJackson]

KIEV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian scrap metal worker destroyed two roofs and singed his face when he cut into a 1940s howitzer and accidentally fired off a shell no one had noticed was lodged inside, local media reported Thursday.

Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported the worker had heated the metal by cutting the gun and had triggered the shell, which flew about 800 yards. It said there were no other casualties in the central Ukrainian city of Berdychiv.

The news agency also said the company had paid for repairs to the roofs but work at the scrap yard had been stopped after local prosecutors launched a criminal investigation.

Ukraine, situated between Russia and an expanding European Union ( news - web sites), has a huge arsenal of rusting weapons, which often end up in the country's dozens of scrap yards.

[KarlInOhio]

I see a new series for TLC. Junkyard Wars: Ukraine.

[Billthedrill]

Dang it, I hate it when I do that...

[Poohbah]

"Hold muh vodka and WATCH THIS!"

[cinFLA]

Always verify gun is unloaded before sawing on barrel.

[RobRoy]

Yeah, now what are they gonna do about that old mirv some jokester put under the hood of that old '67 DAKIA.

[mhking]

Hold muh borscht 'n watch this!!

[Nachum]

Vell, it cood off bien vorse- it might 'ave heet the wodkah facturee-

[Cicero]

Oops.

[blau993]

If you did not personally unload it, it's loaded!

[white trash redneck]

Apparently wasn't paying attention to Jeff Cooper's first rule of gun safety - ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED- or his second - NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.

[SJackson]

NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.

In view of The news agency also said the company had paid for repairs to the roofs , it's possible he and his neighbor needed new roofs.

[johnny7]

HA! One round was still in the chamber!

[blau993]

Fortunately, Bob Barr made his gaffe with a lower caliber weapon. He only had to pay for a little spackle and maybe a new sheet of glass for the door, not for two new roofs.

[Cannon6]

The SOP says "when the breech is closed, then it is assumed that it is loaded"

[Glutton]

Quick! Call Billie Clinton for an expert's excuse for getting caught firing a gun at the wrong time in the wrong place. I've never seen anyone misuse equipment as badly as he did and get away with it.

I'm sure he could help these guys out.

[Rocksalt]

I've heard stories about guys using cutting torches on old gas tanks and blowing themselves to smithereens,it helps to take a good careful look at what your working on.Otherwise you might end up with a real suprise!

[Glutton]

I was a helicopter crew chief, and I saw a Sergeant First Class stand up onthe roof of a Huey that had rotor blades still spinning enough to throw him a long way distroying his front teeth and breaking his nose and some face bones.

He was tired, and not paying attention. You have to always assume the worst when handling potentially dangerous equipment. As a boy I pointed a still loaded handgun in my Dad's direction, and the negative effect that had on my rear-end and use of my twenty-two cal. rifle is still a vivid memory to me. ;-)

[Rocksalt]

Boy I would have hated to see what kind of reaction that kind of thing would have gotten from my Father.He was a real stickler about gun safety,I never would have sat down again.That just would'nt have flown with him at all,and I'm sure you did'nt try that twice.

[staytrue]

So who are the guys in charge of disassembling their nuclear warheads ?