1 00:00:09,820 --> 00:00:12,095 (tense music) 2 00:00:14,549 --> 00:00:19,477 Imagine falling asleep in your armchair one peaceful evening 3 00:00:19,479 --> 00:00:22,063 And then suddenly bursting into flames. 4 00:00:22,657 --> 00:00:25,667 - There's a pile of ash where mary is sitting. 5 00:00:25,669 --> 00:00:28,386 One of her feet is completely intact. 6 00:00:29,231 --> 00:00:33,307 - Or being crushed to death by a falling poodle. 7 00:00:34,244 --> 00:00:37,737 - The dog is getting closer and closer to this balcony. 8 00:00:37,739 --> 00:00:39,989 - It falls the 13 floors. 9 00:00:40,992 --> 00:00:43,910 - How about leaping off the eiffel tower in a flying suit 10 00:00:43,912 --> 00:00:46,846 And plummeting 18 stories to the ground? 11 00:00:46,848 --> 00:00:50,983 - Frantz is so excited to show the world this wingsuit 12 00:00:50,985 --> 00:00:52,076 And then, he jumps. 13 00:00:52,078 --> 00:00:53,661 (dramatic music) 14 00:00:53,663 --> 00:00:55,739 - These are the deaths so surprising, 15 00:00:55,741 --> 00:00:58,166 They are truly unbelievable. 16 00:00:58,168 --> 00:01:00,602 (dramatic music) 17 00:01:11,281 --> 00:01:14,390 It's not unusual for oily rags, grass clippings, 18 00:01:14,392 --> 00:01:17,177 Or even coal to spontaneously catch fire 19 00:01:17,179 --> 00:01:19,279 When the conditions are right, 20 00:01:19,281 --> 00:01:21,456 But could the same thing happen 21 00:01:21,458 --> 00:01:24,066 To a 67 year old woman? 22 00:01:24,068 --> 00:01:26,419 (tense music) 23 00:01:28,857 --> 00:01:31,382 - Mary reeser gets home one night to her apartment, 24 00:01:31,384 --> 00:01:35,061 Plops down in her overstuffed, upholstered easy chair, 25 00:01:35,063 --> 00:01:36,346 Pops a couple of sedatives 26 00:01:36,348 --> 00:01:38,014 'cause she's trying to get some rest, 27 00:01:38,016 --> 00:01:39,850 Passes out and goes to sleep. 28 00:01:43,580 --> 00:01:46,206 - 8:00 am the next morning, 29 00:01:46,208 --> 00:01:49,993 Her landlord, pansy carpenter, smells some smoke. 30 00:01:49,995 --> 00:01:52,328 So she goes and she touches the doorknob 31 00:01:52,330 --> 00:01:53,813 And it's too hot to touch. 32 00:01:53,815 --> 00:01:57,467 So she fears, rightfully so, that there's a fire inside. 33 00:01:57,469 --> 00:01:58,468 (knocking) 34 00:01:58,470 --> 00:02:00,186 - The police department's immediately called 35 00:02:00,188 --> 00:02:01,221 And they show up 36 00:02:01,223 --> 00:02:03,272 And when they open the door, they see something 37 00:02:03,274 --> 00:02:04,916 That they've never seen before. 38 00:02:06,003 --> 00:02:08,461 (tense music) 39 00:02:09,155 --> 00:02:10,838 - Very little is left of the chair, 40 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,674 Just some springs and some debris. 41 00:02:13,601 --> 00:02:16,677 There's a pile of ash where mary was sitting. 42 00:02:16,679 --> 00:02:21,441 One of her feet is completely intact, still in the slipper. 43 00:02:21,443 --> 00:02:23,976 - Stranger still, nothing else 44 00:02:23,978 --> 00:02:26,229 In the apartment has caught fire. 45 00:02:27,482 --> 00:02:32,510 A pile of newspapers, feet away, completely untouched. 46 00:02:32,512 --> 00:02:34,370 Light switches on the wall are melted, 47 00:02:34,372 --> 00:02:37,424 But the outlets on the bottom are still operational 48 00:02:37,426 --> 00:02:38,909 And perfectly intact. 49 00:02:38,911 --> 00:02:40,460 - The pictures are on the walls, 50 00:02:40,462 --> 00:02:42,536 The floor perfectly fine, the ceiling, 51 00:02:42,538 --> 00:02:45,022 No smoke damage and yet mary reeser, 52 00:02:45,024 --> 00:02:47,542 Burned to a crisp, gone. 53 00:02:48,569 --> 00:02:54,031 - [dan] so what caused mary reeser to suddenly go poof? 54 00:02:54,033 --> 00:02:57,110 - For a human body to be fully cremated, you have to be 55 00:02:57,112 --> 00:03:00,180 In a fire that is upwards of 3,000 degrees 56 00:03:00,182 --> 00:03:02,757 For upwards of three hours. 57 00:03:02,759 --> 00:03:04,617 Perhaps she lit a cigarette, 58 00:03:04,619 --> 00:03:07,487 The cigarette lit her clothes on fire and she burned. 59 00:03:07,489 --> 00:03:11,657 Yet somehow, fire didn't spread to any other apartment. 60 00:03:11,659 --> 00:03:14,194 No one smelled smoke, saw smoke. 61 00:03:14,196 --> 00:03:17,914 - There's just no way that any household fire 62 00:03:17,916 --> 00:03:20,967 Would be able to consume a human being that way. 63 00:03:20,969 --> 00:03:24,370 - [dan] even more bizarre, mary's skull is found, 64 00:03:24,372 --> 00:03:26,372 But it's mysteriously smaller. 65 00:03:26,374 --> 00:03:28,491 - In a normal cremation setting, 66 00:03:28,493 --> 00:03:31,001 The human skull is going to crack. 67 00:03:31,003 --> 00:03:33,170 - In her case, the skull shrinks down 68 00:03:33,172 --> 00:03:35,590 To the size of a baseball. 69 00:03:35,592 --> 00:03:37,683 - And doesn't that sound suspicious? 70 00:03:37,685 --> 00:03:38,927 (dramatic music) 71 00:03:38,929 --> 00:03:40,653 - The authorities begin to wonder, 72 00:03:40,655 --> 00:03:43,172 Is there some soviet weapon at play? 73 00:03:43,174 --> 00:03:46,267 So the fbi begins investigating this. 74 00:03:46,269 --> 00:03:49,378 - [dan] it's so perplexing, it makes it all the way up 75 00:03:49,380 --> 00:03:51,280 To director j. Edgar hoover. 76 00:03:51,983 --> 00:03:54,091 - He looks at this case and he's so concerned 77 00:03:54,093 --> 00:03:57,186 That he actually lets the president, harry s. Truman, 78 00:03:57,188 --> 00:03:59,847 Know about this case going on in florida. 79 00:03:59,849 --> 00:04:02,041 He employs his top forensic anthropologist 80 00:04:02,043 --> 00:04:03,893 At the time, wilton krogman. 81 00:04:03,895 --> 00:04:07,497 - [dan] wilton krogman is a pioneer in the forensics field 82 00:04:07,499 --> 00:04:10,867 And the most qualified man in the country to solve the case. 83 00:04:10,869 --> 00:04:12,885 - He shows up to the scene 84 00:04:12,887 --> 00:04:14,445 And he has no idea what's going on. 85 00:04:14,447 --> 00:04:17,723 How does a skull shrink in a fire? 86 00:04:17,725 --> 00:04:20,176 That's not a thing that's supposed to happen. 87 00:04:20,178 --> 00:04:22,478 - [dan] desperate, the fbi entertains 88 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,048 A number of strange possibilities. 89 00:04:25,050 --> 00:04:27,225 (tense music) 90 00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:29,126 - A lot of people speculate foul play 91 00:04:29,128 --> 00:04:32,705 And that someone had come in and doused mary 92 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,317 With kerosene and set her alight. 93 00:04:36,636 --> 00:04:37,802 - All the associated things 94 00:04:37,804 --> 00:04:39,395 That you would have inside of an arson case 95 00:04:39,397 --> 00:04:42,098 With accelerant, all the samples that were collected 96 00:04:42,100 --> 00:04:44,400 And sent to the laboratory, none of it comes back 97 00:04:44,402 --> 00:04:47,678 With any sort of traces of accelerant in it. 98 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,481 - The next theory the fbi investigates 99 00:04:50,483 --> 00:04:52,425 Comes from an anonymous tip. 100 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:54,260 - An anonymous person calls up 101 00:04:54,262 --> 00:04:57,430 And says that a fireball comes in through the window, 102 00:04:57,432 --> 00:04:59,089 Lights mary on fire. 103 00:04:59,091 --> 00:05:01,384 (dramatic music) 104 00:05:02,687 --> 00:05:05,496 - Gave an official statement, said, "I've seen it. 105 00:05:05,498 --> 00:05:07,974 A fireball came in her window and hit it." 106 00:05:08,835 --> 00:05:10,927 (fire crackling) 107 00:05:10,929 --> 00:05:15,081 Generally speaking, fireballs don't fly through windows. 108 00:05:15,083 --> 00:05:17,450 - What it could be is another unexplained phenomenon 109 00:05:17,452 --> 00:05:20,111 Of ball lightning, which is controversial. 110 00:05:20,113 --> 00:05:21,404 It may or may not exist. 111 00:05:21,406 --> 00:05:24,290 I mean, how much credence do we put into anonymous tips? 112 00:05:24,292 --> 00:05:26,576 I mean, right there we think it's a little bit of bs. 113 00:05:26,578 --> 00:05:29,462 - [dan] is it possible the most likely explanation 114 00:05:29,464 --> 00:05:32,031 Is also the most unbelievable? 115 00:05:32,033 --> 00:05:34,726 Spontaneous human combustion? 116 00:05:34,728 --> 00:05:37,670 - Spontaneous human combustion is an idea 117 00:05:37,672 --> 00:05:40,881 That someone just all of a sudden bursts into flames 118 00:05:40,883 --> 00:05:43,050 And it only impacts the individual 119 00:05:43,052 --> 00:05:45,311 And it doesn't impact anything else. 120 00:05:45,313 --> 00:05:48,548 - Spontaneous combustion does happen in nature. 121 00:05:49,208 --> 00:05:51,935 Hay bales, you have wet and dry hay, 122 00:05:51,937 --> 00:05:53,386 The wet hay still alive, 123 00:05:53,388 --> 00:05:55,404 Going through its respiration process, 124 00:05:55,406 --> 00:05:56,881 Taking in carbon dioxide, 125 00:05:56,883 --> 00:05:59,058 Pumping out oxygen, and this creates heat. 126 00:05:59,060 --> 00:06:02,478 So you'll have hay bales that just spontaneously combust. 127 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:03,929 - [dan] the question is, 128 00:06:03,931 --> 00:06:06,574 Could this also happen to humans? 129 00:06:07,068 --> 00:06:11,054 Shockingly, there have been roughly 200 recorded cases 130 00:06:11,056 --> 00:06:14,224 Of spontaneous human combustion in history. 131 00:06:14,226 --> 00:06:18,795 - In 1470, there is an italian knight in milan 132 00:06:18,797 --> 00:06:24,283 Who after a night of drinking, according to witnesses, 133 00:06:24,285 --> 00:06:27,453 Begins to actually belch up flame. 134 00:06:27,455 --> 00:06:33,143 And finally, his entire body combusts seemingly from within. 135 00:06:33,145 --> 00:06:36,312 - In 1982, a woman named jean safin 136 00:06:36,314 --> 00:06:41,334 In the uk, again, same exact circumstances, 137 00:06:41,336 --> 00:06:42,318 Completely burned, 138 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,612 Yet parts of her body found intact. 139 00:06:44,614 --> 00:06:46,096 No one could understand it. 140 00:06:46,098 --> 00:06:48,841 - And a little bit more recently, in 2010, 141 00:06:48,843 --> 00:06:51,944 An irishman named michael faherty is found 142 00:06:51,946 --> 00:06:56,941 Completely burned and charred to ashes on his floor. 143 00:06:56,943 --> 00:06:58,284 None of the combustible materials 144 00:06:58,286 --> 00:07:03,531 Around him are also found burnt, so eerily similar to mary. 145 00:07:04,125 --> 00:07:07,068 - [dan] but in mary's case, the fbi is unwilling 146 00:07:07,070 --> 00:07:10,180 To list spontaneous human combustion 147 00:07:10,182 --> 00:07:12,390 As the official cause of death. 148 00:07:12,392 --> 00:07:15,568 What they come up with isn't any less strange. 149 00:07:15,570 --> 00:07:18,571 - So the belief is that mary succumbed 150 00:07:18,573 --> 00:07:21,357 To something known as the wick effect. 151 00:07:21,359 --> 00:07:24,294 - In essence, the body is an inside out candle. 152 00:07:24,296 --> 00:07:27,813 The clothing is the wick that catches flame, 153 00:07:27,815 --> 00:07:31,534 But the combustible hydrocarbons found in human fat 154 00:07:31,536 --> 00:07:33,703 Literally serve to fuel the fire. 155 00:07:33,705 --> 00:07:37,156 - Because she's an overweight woman that was also a smoker, 156 00:07:37,158 --> 00:07:41,060 The fbi suggests that the cigarette burns her nightgown, 157 00:07:41,062 --> 00:07:42,745 Which causes her to go up in flame, 158 00:07:42,747 --> 00:07:44,930 Because she's a heavier woman, that leads 159 00:07:44,932 --> 00:07:46,816 To the fire continuing to burn 160 00:07:46,818 --> 00:07:48,576 For a longer period of time. 161 00:07:48,578 --> 00:07:51,254 - [dan] not everyone accepts this answer. 162 00:07:51,256 --> 00:07:53,906 - There are lots of problems with this theory. 163 00:07:53,908 --> 00:07:56,684 The first of which is that millions of people fall asleep 164 00:07:56,686 --> 00:08:01,356 With lit cigarettes and they don't usually end up cremated. 165 00:08:02,233 --> 00:08:03,958 - So people are thinking, 166 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,861 Why would you not wake up if you are currently on fire? 167 00:08:07,863 --> 00:08:11,407 - Even with sedatives, there's still a great likelihood 168 00:08:11,409 --> 00:08:14,744 That a person would start thrashing around. 169 00:08:14,746 --> 00:08:17,037 Spontaneous human combustion, 170 00:08:17,039 --> 00:08:20,249 It's the last place investigators want to go, 171 00:08:20,251 --> 00:08:22,268 But sometimes they're forced to go there 172 00:08:22,270 --> 00:08:25,213 In the absence of any other explanations. 173 00:08:27,709 --> 00:08:30,634 - I think it's a damn strange world. (laughing) 174 00:08:30,636 --> 00:08:32,362 I never take anything off the table 175 00:08:32,364 --> 00:08:34,221 Until we're absolutely certain. 176 00:08:34,223 --> 00:08:35,298 (dramatic music) 177 00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:35,765 - The forensic anthropologist hired by the fbi 178 00:08:36,726 --> 00:08:38,217 - The forensic anthropologist hired by the fbi 179 00:08:38,219 --> 00:08:39,719 Has this to say. 180 00:08:39,721 --> 00:08:42,062 "were I living in the middle ages, 181 00:08:42,064 --> 00:08:44,857 I'd mutter something about black magic." 182 00:08:48,246 --> 00:08:49,495 - We all know the feeling. 183 00:08:49,497 --> 00:08:51,664 You leave the house only to realize you forgot your wallet 184 00:08:51,666 --> 00:08:52,982 Or your keys or your phone. 185 00:08:52,984 --> 00:08:55,826 Now imagine for a moment you've just jumped out 186 00:08:55,828 --> 00:08:58,170 Of an airplane and realize what you forgot 187 00:08:58,172 --> 00:09:01,624 To bring is something much more vital. 188 00:09:02,352 --> 00:09:05,086 (tense music) 189 00:09:06,714 --> 00:09:08,423 - Ivan mcguire, adrenaline junkie. 190 00:09:08,425 --> 00:09:12,835 Avid skydiver, this guy loves to jump out of planes. 191 00:09:12,837 --> 00:09:14,487 (plane whirring) 192 00:09:14,489 --> 00:09:16,680 - Nowadays, you see people with gopros 193 00:09:16,682 --> 00:09:19,183 And phones attached to their helmets. 194 00:09:19,185 --> 00:09:20,435 It's a pretty standard thing 195 00:09:20,437 --> 00:09:23,079 To see this aerial view and this angle of jumping out 196 00:09:23,081 --> 00:09:24,188 Of a plane, but it's something 197 00:09:24,190 --> 00:09:26,682 That we didn't really see back in 1988, 198 00:09:26,684 --> 00:09:29,319 But ivan mcguire wanted to capture that. 199 00:09:30,739 --> 00:09:33,781 He's done more than 800 skydives 200 00:09:33,783 --> 00:09:36,709 And he has this dream of showing the world 201 00:09:36,711 --> 00:09:38,953 What he sees when he leaves the plane. 202 00:09:42,274 --> 00:09:44,625 - [dan] on April 4th, 1988, 203 00:09:44,627 --> 00:09:47,670 Ivan mounts a brand new, 8mm video camera 204 00:09:47,672 --> 00:09:53,000 To his helmet and is ready for his third jump of the day. 205 00:09:53,002 --> 00:09:53,876 - This is the 1980s, 206 00:09:53,878 --> 00:09:56,553 So these cameras are still pretty large. 207 00:09:56,555 --> 00:09:57,530 They're pretty bulky, 208 00:09:57,532 --> 00:09:58,714 Certainly compared to what we know today. 209 00:09:58,716 --> 00:10:00,599 There's gonna be a lot of force of wind 210 00:10:00,601 --> 00:10:01,576 And so forth, so this has 211 00:10:01,578 --> 00:10:04,637 To be really carefully attached to the helmet. 212 00:10:04,639 --> 00:10:07,290 - He takes the entire plane right up there 213 00:10:07,292 --> 00:10:10,634 To check the camera, wipe the lens to make sure 214 00:10:10,636 --> 00:10:12,912 That he's gonna get the perfect shot. 215 00:10:13,731 --> 00:10:16,682 - [dan] warning, the footage you are about to see 216 00:10:16,684 --> 00:10:17,900 May be unsettling. 217 00:10:17,902 --> 00:10:20,678 - The two tandem jumpers give him the thumbs up. 218 00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:24,624 So ivan seizes the moment and leaps from the plane. 219 00:10:27,094 --> 00:10:29,020 They're plummeting through the air. 220 00:10:29,022 --> 00:10:31,013 The tandem guys pull their parachute 221 00:10:31,015 --> 00:10:33,758 And boom, it's the perfect shot. 222 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:36,252 Now, it's time for ivan's money shot, 223 00:10:36,254 --> 00:10:38,754 The pov of him falling silently 224 00:10:38,756 --> 00:10:40,907 Through the north carolina sky. 225 00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:45,511 - But he goes to deploy his own parachute 226 00:10:45,513 --> 00:10:47,313 And there's nothing there. 227 00:10:49,167 --> 00:10:52,126 - Ivan has forgotten his own parachute. 228 00:10:52,128 --> 00:10:54,537 - His total free fall was about 30 seconds 229 00:10:54,539 --> 00:10:56,672 At 150 miles per hour, 230 00:10:56,674 --> 00:11:00,034 And he fell more than 10,000 feet from the air. 231 00:11:01,479 --> 00:11:04,138 - [dan] ivan does not survive the fall, 232 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:06,632 But miraculously, his camera does. 233 00:11:06,634 --> 00:11:09,693 - Investigators surmised that ivan's preoccupation 234 00:11:09,695 --> 00:11:12,522 With his video camera caused him to forget 235 00:11:12,524 --> 00:11:14,290 To shoulder his own parachute. 236 00:11:14,292 --> 00:11:18,494 And so ironically, he ends up filming his own death. 237 00:11:18,496 --> 00:11:22,873 Reason 1,000 why I am never jumping out of an airplane. 238 00:11:22,875 --> 00:11:25,058 - [dan] ivan isn't the only daredevil 239 00:11:25,060 --> 00:11:26,619 Who needed a good parachute. 240 00:11:26,621 --> 00:11:31,073 An even more infamous case took place 80 years earlier. 241 00:11:31,075 --> 00:11:35,561 Here, friends, is the sad case of the flying tailor. 242 00:11:36,548 --> 00:11:41,117 - Frantz reichelt is an austrian tailor living in paris. 243 00:11:41,119 --> 00:11:42,668 He makes dresses for a living, 244 00:11:42,670 --> 00:11:47,172 But his real passion is this new budding field of flying. 245 00:11:47,174 --> 00:11:49,249 (tense music) 246 00:11:49,251 --> 00:11:51,360 - It's the early 20th century, 1903, 247 00:11:51,362 --> 00:11:54,129 The wright brothers take their first heavier than air 248 00:11:54,131 --> 00:11:56,632 Powered flight, brave new world 249 00:11:56,634 --> 00:11:58,860 And everyone is aviation crazy, 250 00:11:58,862 --> 00:12:00,503 Especially the french, 251 00:12:00,505 --> 00:12:03,606 'cause the french also invented the hot air balloon. 252 00:12:03,608 --> 00:12:07,292 - In 1910, flying is extremely dangerous. 253 00:12:07,294 --> 00:12:10,529 He sees all of these pilots dying in these test flights, 254 00:12:10,531 --> 00:12:12,982 So he wants to do something to help out. 255 00:12:13,835 --> 00:12:15,150 And up until this time, 256 00:12:15,152 --> 00:12:17,945 Parachuting technology has really only been used 257 00:12:17,947 --> 00:12:21,357 For jumping out of balloons and very high altitudes. 258 00:12:21,359 --> 00:12:25,077 So there's this push to find new parachute technology, 259 00:12:25,079 --> 00:12:28,380 Much lighter weight for pilots themselves to be able 260 00:12:28,382 --> 00:12:32,134 To jump out at lower altitudes when they're taking these 261 00:12:32,136 --> 00:12:33,794 Test flights around the country. 262 00:12:33,796 --> 00:12:36,613 - [dan] coincidentally, a french aviation organization 263 00:12:36,615 --> 00:12:37,906 Offers a hefty prize 264 00:12:37,908 --> 00:12:40,826 To anyone who can create a smaller chute. 265 00:12:40,828 --> 00:12:43,462 - So frantz decides to enter this contest 266 00:12:43,464 --> 00:12:47,883 And take his expertise as a tailor, sewing dresses 267 00:12:47,885 --> 00:12:51,037 And garments using silk and rods, 268 00:12:51,039 --> 00:12:54,673 And he ends up developing a wingsuit. 269 00:12:54,675 --> 00:12:56,067 - It looks like a batman suit. 270 00:12:56,069 --> 00:13:00,913 It looks like something out of a futuristic superhero movie. 271 00:13:00,915 --> 00:13:02,431 - [dan] more peculiar than his design 272 00:13:02,433 --> 00:13:04,382 Is his method for testing it. 273 00:13:04,384 --> 00:13:07,486 He puts it on a dummy and tosses it from the window 274 00:13:07,488 --> 00:13:10,264 Of his fifth floor paris apartment. 275 00:13:11,250 --> 00:13:14,101 - I don't really understand how he was allowed to do this, 276 00:13:14,103 --> 00:13:17,229 That there were just dummies landing on the streets of paris 277 00:13:17,231 --> 00:13:19,398 And nobody had any complaints about this. 278 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,300 - [dan] unsatisfied with the results, 279 00:13:21,302 --> 00:13:23,469 Frantz decides there is only one way 280 00:13:23,471 --> 00:13:26,030 To truly test this wingsuit. 281 00:13:26,032 --> 00:13:28,040 (suspenseful music) 282 00:13:28,042 --> 00:13:29,267 - He puts on his own wingsuit 283 00:13:29,269 --> 00:13:32,186 And climbs out of his fifth floor window. 284 00:13:34,023 --> 00:13:35,764 And he breaks his leg. 285 00:13:35,766 --> 00:13:37,416 - But frantz is onto something. 286 00:13:37,418 --> 00:13:39,101 He goes, ah ha, ha ha. 287 00:13:39,103 --> 00:13:42,195 I didn't give my wingsuit enough time 288 00:13:42,197 --> 00:13:45,624 To gather enough air to create resistance. 289 00:13:45,626 --> 00:13:47,610 I need to go higher. 290 00:13:47,612 --> 00:13:48,844 Luckily, he's in paris 291 00:13:48,846 --> 00:13:50,946 And at this point in time, the tallest structure 292 00:13:50,948 --> 00:13:53,583 On earth is the eiffel tower. 293 00:13:54,234 --> 00:13:57,803 - He starts petitioning the paris police to allow him 294 00:13:57,805 --> 00:14:01,440 To throw winged dummies off of the eiffel tower 295 00:14:01,442 --> 00:14:04,551 As part of a test for his new suit. 296 00:14:04,553 --> 00:14:07,162 - [dan] surprisingly, not only do the french authorities 297 00:14:07,164 --> 00:14:10,783 Grant permission, but it becomes a huge press event. 298 00:14:10,785 --> 00:14:14,653 - Frantz is so excited to show the world this wingsuit. 299 00:14:14,655 --> 00:14:17,306 He puts out a press release to announce to the world 300 00:14:17,308 --> 00:14:21,551 That he has found the solution of aviation safety. 301 00:14:21,553 --> 00:14:25,281 - [dan] on the cold morning of February 4th, 1912, 302 00:14:25,283 --> 00:14:29,452 Frantz arrives at the eiffel tower sans dummy. 303 00:14:29,454 --> 00:14:33,639 - It's frantz himself dressed in his wingsuit 304 00:14:33,641 --> 00:14:35,007 And everyone goes, where's the dummy? 305 00:14:35,009 --> 00:14:37,401 And he goes, there is no dummy. 306 00:14:37,403 --> 00:14:39,928 - [dan] from this moment on, frantz reichelt 307 00:14:39,930 --> 00:14:42,881 Becomes known as the flying tailor. 308 00:14:42,883 --> 00:14:44,333 - His friends are pleading with him, 309 00:14:44,335 --> 00:14:46,152 "you're not gonna do this, are you? 310 00:14:46,154 --> 00:14:48,345 You're not gonna actually do this yourself." 311 00:14:48,347 --> 00:14:50,990 But frantz is convinced the suit will work 312 00:14:50,992 --> 00:14:52,666 And he's gonna prove it. 313 00:14:52,668 --> 00:14:55,870 - [austin] frantz is leaning forward on the edge 314 00:14:55,872 --> 00:14:58,356 Of the parapet of the eiffel tower. 315 00:14:59,983 --> 00:15:01,859 - He hesitates for about 40 seconds. 316 00:15:01,861 --> 00:15:03,586 He seems to actually have second thoughts 317 00:15:03,588 --> 00:15:05,571 For the first time in this story, 318 00:15:06,540 --> 00:15:09,467 But then frantz sees the crowd below him and he waves 319 00:15:09,469 --> 00:15:11,727 And he says, "à bientô," 320 00:15:11,729 --> 00:15:13,996 Which means, "I'll see you soon." 321 00:15:15,183 --> 00:15:16,666 And then he jumps. 322 00:15:20,955 --> 00:15:24,022 - [dan] the parachute never fully opens. 323 00:15:24,458 --> 00:15:28,394 Two seconds after jumping, frantz hits the ground 324 00:15:28,396 --> 00:15:31,038 And dies, leaving a six inch deep 325 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,707 Frantz shaped imprint in the ground. 326 00:15:33,709 --> 00:15:35,083 - What's particularly sad 327 00:15:35,085 --> 00:15:38,645 And ironic about this entire story is that just two days 328 00:15:38,647 --> 00:15:42,208 Before frantz parachuted to his death, 329 00:15:42,210 --> 00:15:44,468 An american named rodman law 330 00:15:44,470 --> 00:15:47,195 Had successfully parachuted off the top 331 00:15:47,197 --> 00:15:49,456 Of the torch of the statue of liberty, 332 00:15:49,458 --> 00:15:52,051 Which he just did on a whim for fun. 333 00:15:52,053 --> 00:15:53,569 - There's part of me that looks at him 334 00:15:53,571 --> 00:15:57,181 And thinks this is classic hubris. 335 00:15:57,183 --> 00:16:00,175 This is pride goes before the fall, literally. 336 00:16:00,670 --> 00:16:02,712 And at the same time, this is the genius of madness. 337 00:16:02,714 --> 00:16:03,503 And at the same time, this is the genius of madness. 338 00:16:03,914 --> 00:16:05,489 When it works, we celebrate those people 339 00:16:05,491 --> 00:16:07,049 Who are willing to push through as heroes, 340 00:16:07,051 --> 00:16:08,718 And when it fails, it's very easy 341 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:10,936 To dismiss them as being crazy. 342 00:16:10,938 --> 00:16:14,790 - [dan] sometimes, there's no way to know if it works 343 00:16:14,792 --> 00:16:16,392 Until it doesn't. 344 00:16:18,646 --> 00:16:20,128 - What do an argentinian poodle 345 00:16:20,130 --> 00:16:22,856 And a world renowned 19th century amputation surgeon 346 00:16:22,858 --> 00:16:23,782 Have in common? 347 00:16:23,784 --> 00:16:26,919 The answer is as tragic as it is bizarre. 348 00:16:26,921 --> 00:16:31,073 Cachi the poodle's story begins fittingly high up, 349 00:16:31,075 --> 00:16:34,276 On an apartment building's unluckiest floor. 350 00:16:34,278 --> 00:16:36,704 (eerie music) 351 00:16:38,249 --> 00:16:41,767 - In buenos aires in 1988, the montoya family 352 00:16:41,769 --> 00:16:43,860 Has this apartment on the 13th floor. 353 00:16:43,862 --> 00:16:47,214 Their son is playing with the pet poodle, cachi. 354 00:16:47,216 --> 00:16:49,875 - And the son throws the ball towards the open door 355 00:16:49,877 --> 00:16:54,013 To the balcony and the dog goes bounding after it. 356 00:16:55,065 --> 00:16:57,600 - As it is getting closer and closer to this balcony, 357 00:16:57,602 --> 00:17:00,144 The dog tries to stop. 358 00:17:00,938 --> 00:17:03,797 The dog does not. 359 00:17:03,799 --> 00:17:05,048 (dramatic music) 360 00:17:05,050 --> 00:17:10,312 This story saddens me so much more than any human tragedy. 361 00:17:11,114 --> 00:17:15,159 - Cachi falls the 13 floors, which is heartbreaking 362 00:17:15,161 --> 00:17:17,094 If you are an animal lover. 363 00:17:17,096 --> 00:17:21,039 At that very moment, a 75 year old woman named marta espina, 364 00:17:21,041 --> 00:17:22,658 She's walking around her neighborhood 365 00:17:22,660 --> 00:17:25,044 Doing some shopping and then all of a sudden- 366 00:17:25,046 --> 00:17:26,212 (claps) 367 00:17:26,214 --> 00:17:31,575 - Cachi falls directly onto the head of marta, they both die. 368 00:17:31,577 --> 00:17:35,337 - The impact constitutes essentially a blunt force trauma 369 00:17:35,339 --> 00:17:36,663 To the head. 370 00:17:36,665 --> 00:17:38,557 (sirens blaring) 371 00:17:38,559 --> 00:17:42,328 - [dan] but the tragic chain of events doesn't end here. 372 00:17:42,330 --> 00:17:44,863 - Another woman named edith is across the street, 373 00:17:44,865 --> 00:17:46,148 Happens to see this. 374 00:17:46,150 --> 00:17:49,368 Immediately, her good samaritan intent kicks in, 375 00:17:49,370 --> 00:17:52,387 She jumps up to run across the street to check on this woman. 376 00:17:52,389 --> 00:17:53,614 - And she... 377 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:57,493 (claps) gets hit by a bus. 378 00:17:58,496 --> 00:18:00,295 So now you have cachi the poodle, 379 00:18:00,297 --> 00:18:02,498 You have marta, you have edith. 380 00:18:03,501 --> 00:18:05,717 - There is a third person, a man 381 00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:07,670 Who apparently has just come outta the pharmacy 382 00:18:07,672 --> 00:18:10,756 With his prescription, sees all of this play out. 383 00:18:10,758 --> 00:18:12,199 - It's too much for him to take. 384 00:18:12,201 --> 00:18:15,443 - He has a heart attack and he dies there on the spot. 385 00:18:15,445 --> 00:18:20,123 The fourth casualty of cachi the poodle's game of fetch. 386 00:18:20,125 --> 00:18:24,186 - [dan] cachi, a legend, an unbelievable killer dog. 387 00:18:24,188 --> 00:18:27,398 His odd death toll should be unrivaled, 388 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,999 But consider the case 389 00:18:29,001 --> 00:18:31,777 Of one of the 19th century's top surgeons, 390 00:18:32,563 --> 00:18:34,471 Dr. Robert liston. 391 00:18:34,473 --> 00:18:39,326 - Robert liston is a surgical phenom. 392 00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:42,496 - He's one of the most respected surgeons in london. 393 00:18:42,498 --> 00:18:44,623 At 14, he's already practicing medicine 394 00:18:44,625 --> 00:18:48,693 And at 22, he's teaching in the medical college at edinburgh. 395 00:18:48,695 --> 00:18:50,595 - [dan] he quickly comes to master 396 00:18:50,597 --> 00:18:54,866 A very specific type of surgery, amputations. 397 00:18:54,868 --> 00:18:58,253 - If someone has an infected or otherwise wounded limb 398 00:18:58,255 --> 00:19:00,556 Or a broken bone that cannot be set, 399 00:19:00,558 --> 00:19:02,849 The sole practice of medicine 400 00:19:02,851 --> 00:19:05,252 At this time is amputation. 401 00:19:05,254 --> 00:19:09,081 - Moreover, there is no such thing as anesthetic. 402 00:19:09,083 --> 00:19:11,358 If you're in surgery, you are awake 403 00:19:11,360 --> 00:19:15,103 As you endure this unbelievable amount of pain. 404 00:19:15,105 --> 00:19:19,091 - In an age where there's no anesthesia, speed counts. 405 00:19:19,093 --> 00:19:20,576 Liston prides himself in being able 406 00:19:20,578 --> 00:19:24,947 To conduct amputations faster and cleaner than anyone else, 407 00:19:24,949 --> 00:19:26,265 And the statistics bear him out. 408 00:19:26,267 --> 00:19:30,352 Where most surgeons at the time have a 25% mortality rate, 409 00:19:30,354 --> 00:19:32,362 He only has a 15% mortality rate. 410 00:19:32,364 --> 00:19:34,440 You are in better hands with robert liston 411 00:19:34,442 --> 00:19:36,608 Than with anyone else in london. 412 00:19:36,610 --> 00:19:39,570 - [dan] his swiftness earns him an impressive nickname. 413 00:19:39,572 --> 00:19:43,349 - He's known as "the fastest knife on the west end." 414 00:19:43,351 --> 00:19:46,551 - He would argue he's the fastest knife in the world. 415 00:19:46,553 --> 00:19:47,936 (tense music) 416 00:19:47,938 --> 00:19:51,398 - Liston is a very large man. 417 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:52,899 He's built like a bull. 418 00:19:52,901 --> 00:19:55,627 Other surgeons require at least two 419 00:19:55,629 --> 00:20:00,240 Or three assistants to hold down a struggling patient. 420 00:20:00,242 --> 00:20:03,059 Liston requires only one assistant. 421 00:20:03,061 --> 00:20:06,413 He takes his knife, holds it in his teeth, 422 00:20:06,415 --> 00:20:10,960 Fastens down the tourniquet above the point of amputation, 423 00:20:10,962 --> 00:20:12,402 Removes the knife, 424 00:20:12,404 --> 00:20:15,481 Holding the patient down, along with the assistant. 425 00:20:15,483 --> 00:20:18,425 (cracking) (tense music) 426 00:20:18,427 --> 00:20:20,219 Severs the limb. 427 00:20:20,221 --> 00:20:23,805 As brutal as it sounds to us today, 428 00:20:23,807 --> 00:20:28,994 If you are in such a situation, liston is the surgeon 429 00:20:28,996 --> 00:20:31,029 To whom you want to go. 430 00:20:31,031 --> 00:20:33,348 - [yohuru] liston becomes very full of himself 431 00:20:33,350 --> 00:20:34,500 And his prowess. 432 00:20:34,502 --> 00:20:36,685 - He is a showboat, he is cocky. 433 00:20:36,687 --> 00:20:38,670 - He loves to call out to the medical students, 434 00:20:38,672 --> 00:20:40,196 "time me, gentlemen." 435 00:20:40,198 --> 00:20:42,265 And it becomes in some sense, his catchphrase, 436 00:20:42,267 --> 00:20:44,359 - [dan] hubris and haste, 437 00:20:44,361 --> 00:20:47,012 A dangerous combination for a surgeon 438 00:20:47,014 --> 00:20:49,381 And one that leads to an infamous moment. 439 00:20:49,383 --> 00:20:53,702 Liston is performing an amputation in a medical theater. 440 00:20:53,704 --> 00:20:55,779 - He might as well have walked in like a boxer, 441 00:20:55,781 --> 00:20:56,955 Taken his robe off. 442 00:20:56,957 --> 00:20:59,282 - In his typical manner, he turns to the crowd 443 00:20:59,284 --> 00:21:01,117 And says to them, "time me, gentleman." 444 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:03,052 - "gentleman, time me". 445 00:21:03,054 --> 00:21:05,313 (intense music) 446 00:21:05,908 --> 00:21:09,134 Dr. Liston cuts off the limb of the patient so quickly 447 00:21:09,136 --> 00:21:13,213 That he also severs the fingers of his surgical assistant 448 00:21:13,215 --> 00:21:15,649 Who is holding down the screaming patient. 449 00:21:16,443 --> 00:21:19,061 - Now, liston recognizes his mistake 450 00:21:19,063 --> 00:21:23,065 And immediately draws the knife back as quickly as possible. 451 00:21:23,067 --> 00:21:25,266 - He winds up cutting the garments 452 00:21:25,268 --> 00:21:27,636 Of an elderly medical colleague 453 00:21:27,638 --> 00:21:31,481 Who is standing behind him observing the procedure. 454 00:21:31,483 --> 00:21:33,709 The colleague is so shocked and frightened 455 00:21:33,711 --> 00:21:36,628 That he drops dead from a heart attack. 456 00:21:36,630 --> 00:21:39,715 - Liston's assistant, who had two of his fingers removed, 457 00:21:39,717 --> 00:21:41,658 Died later on from infection. 458 00:21:41,660 --> 00:21:45,178 And the patient who had his leg amputated 459 00:21:45,180 --> 00:21:48,407 Also ended up dying from infection. 460 00:21:48,409 --> 00:21:51,334 So at the end of this surgical display of prowess, 461 00:21:51,336 --> 00:21:55,831 Dr. Robert liston, the fastest knife in the west end, 462 00:21:55,833 --> 00:21:57,866 Kills not one, not two, 463 00:21:57,868 --> 00:22:02,237 But three separate people of infection, infection and shock. 464 00:22:02,239 --> 00:22:05,023 One surgery, three fatalities. 465 00:22:05,025 --> 00:22:06,825 Take that, argentinian poodle. 466 00:22:09,013 --> 00:22:11,446 - Now technically speaking, if you look at the math here 467 00:22:11,448 --> 00:22:15,434 And count cachi himself, the poodle one upped dr. Liston. 468 00:22:15,436 --> 00:22:18,462 The good doctor must be turning over in his grave. 469 00:22:19,773 --> 00:22:23,225 There are some sports that are so inherently dangerous, 470 00:22:23,227 --> 00:22:26,862 An occasional death doesn't come as a shock. 471 00:22:26,864 --> 00:22:29,706 Take mixed martial arts, formula 1 racing, 472 00:22:29,708 --> 00:22:33,001 Perhaps running with the bulls at pamplona. 473 00:22:33,003 --> 00:22:35,437 But tennis? 474 00:22:36,823 --> 00:22:39,558 - Honestly, most injuries in tennis 475 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:41,143 Happen from watching gameplay, 476 00:22:41,145 --> 00:22:44,663 Just watching the ball go from right to left on the court. 477 00:22:44,665 --> 00:22:47,007 - [dan] but what happens to dick wertheim 478 00:22:47,009 --> 00:22:49,242 Is truly one for the books. 479 00:22:49,244 --> 00:22:51,011 - Dick wertheim is a lifelong tennis person. 480 00:22:51,013 --> 00:22:52,937 He's played, he's been a linesman. 481 00:22:52,939 --> 00:22:55,240 It's not exactly what you would consider 482 00:22:55,242 --> 00:22:58,310 To be a dangerous line of work. 483 00:22:58,312 --> 00:22:59,944 Being a ball boy could be argued 484 00:22:59,946 --> 00:23:02,405 As more dangerous than being a linesman in tennis. 485 00:23:02,407 --> 00:23:04,849 (dramatic music) 486 00:23:04,851 --> 00:23:07,076 - [dan] on September 10th, 1983, 487 00:23:07,078 --> 00:23:11,173 Wertheim is officiating the us open junior boys title match 488 00:23:11,175 --> 00:23:14,076 Between a young stefan edberg of sweden 489 00:23:14,078 --> 00:23:16,528 And simon youl of australia. 490 00:23:16,530 --> 00:23:18,438 - Stefan edberg goes on to become 491 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,365 One of the greatest players 492 00:23:20,367 --> 00:23:22,151 Of his generation, once winning wimbledon 493 00:23:22,153 --> 00:23:25,762 And twice winning the aussie and us open. 494 00:23:25,764 --> 00:23:27,847 - The way they officiated back then, 495 00:23:27,849 --> 00:23:31,534 Dick wertheim is at the end line, right in the center. 496 00:23:31,536 --> 00:23:34,196 - Stefan edberg being a fantastic player. 497 00:23:34,198 --> 00:23:36,523 - Serves this tennis ball 498 00:23:36,525 --> 00:23:39,692 And just whips it 115 miles an hour. 499 00:23:39,694 --> 00:23:43,038 - That ball hits the court, takes a weird spin 500 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:46,224 And goes straight at dick 501 00:23:46,226 --> 00:23:47,859 And winds up hitting him. 502 00:23:47,861 --> 00:23:49,953 - Directly in the groin. 503 00:23:49,955 --> 00:23:51,463 (crowd gasping) 504 00:23:51,465 --> 00:23:54,807 - With such force that it forces wertheim 505 00:23:54,809 --> 00:23:57,769 Straight backwards, his head hits the court 506 00:23:57,771 --> 00:23:59,521 And he's immediately unconscious. 507 00:23:59,523 --> 00:24:02,399 - Dick is rushed to flushing hospital 508 00:24:02,401 --> 00:24:06,987 Where he dies five days later of a subdural hematoma. 509 00:24:08,156 --> 00:24:10,339 (dramatic music) 510 00:24:10,341 --> 00:24:12,150 - Immediately after this happens, 511 00:24:12,152 --> 00:24:14,069 The international tennis federation 512 00:24:14,071 --> 00:24:18,081 Stops having linesmen sit on the court in the same fashion 513 00:24:18,083 --> 00:24:20,024 That dick wertheim was. 514 00:24:20,026 --> 00:24:22,586 So this will likely never happen again. 515 00:24:24,239 --> 00:24:27,156 - Luckily, the only other loss that day 516 00:24:27,158 --> 00:24:30,569 Is suffered by stefan's opponent simon youl, 517 00:24:30,571 --> 00:24:31,920 Who is defeated in straight sets. 518 00:24:31,922 --> 00:24:36,624 6-2, 6... Nevermind, not important. 519 00:24:36,626 --> 00:24:40,311 Next, a death that could give even dick wertheim 520 00:24:40,313 --> 00:24:41,855 A run for his money. 521 00:24:44,460 --> 00:24:45,901 - Frank hayes, born in 1901, 522 00:24:45,903 --> 00:24:48,270 He grows up in ireland and it is his dream 523 00:24:48,272 --> 00:24:51,456 To become a world champion jockey. 524 00:24:51,458 --> 00:24:54,743 - [dan] although frank believes he is born to be a jockey, 525 00:24:54,745 --> 00:24:56,695 His genetics beg to differ. 526 00:24:57,222 --> 00:25:02,483 He weighs 142 pounds, much heavier than most jockeys. 527 00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:04,819 - Frank hayes moves to new york city. 528 00:25:04,821 --> 00:25:06,696 He still loves horses and he still wants 529 00:25:06,698 --> 00:25:08,715 To be around this sport in some way, 530 00:25:08,717 --> 00:25:11,943 But he's still a little bit too large to be a jockey. 531 00:25:11,945 --> 00:25:14,613 - So he has to reset and he has to start somewhere. 532 00:25:14,615 --> 00:25:18,183 So he starts working as a trainer for race horses. 533 00:25:19,620 --> 00:25:20,769 - But imagine you're frank hayes 534 00:25:20,771 --> 00:25:23,046 And you grew up wanting to be a jockey 535 00:25:23,048 --> 00:25:24,656 And you're working as a stable hand. 536 00:25:24,658 --> 00:25:26,566 You're doing all of the grunt work, you're getting none 537 00:25:26,568 --> 00:25:30,395 Of the glory and you're watching these jockeys 538 00:25:30,397 --> 00:25:33,598 Win these races and it's as close 539 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:35,700 As you can possibly get to it 540 00:25:35,702 --> 00:25:38,120 Without actually tasting that victory. 541 00:25:39,706 --> 00:25:41,582 - [dan] then, fate steps in when the owner 542 00:25:41,584 --> 00:25:46,211 Of a horse named sweet kiss finds himself without a jockey. 543 00:25:47,572 --> 00:25:49,489 - The owner says, "listen, 544 00:25:49,491 --> 00:25:52,350 If you can lose 10 pounds somehow in a day, 545 00:25:52,352 --> 00:25:53,685 Then you can ride this horse." 546 00:25:53,687 --> 00:25:55,487 Now, frankly, I'm not sure if the owner 547 00:25:55,489 --> 00:25:57,605 Expected him to be able to do it. 548 00:25:57,607 --> 00:26:00,200 - Frank is fired up. 549 00:26:00,202 --> 00:26:02,585 He is ready to do whatever it takes to make sure 550 00:26:02,587 --> 00:26:04,479 That he can get on the back of sweet kiss 551 00:26:04,481 --> 00:26:06,089 And ride this horse to victory. 552 00:26:06,091 --> 00:26:10,101 So over the next 24 hours, we are going full rocky, 553 00:26:10,103 --> 00:26:13,029 Rocky iv, 1980s montage. 554 00:26:13,031 --> 00:26:15,106 We are talking about shadow boxing. 555 00:26:15,108 --> 00:26:18,176 We're talking about running, fasting, not drinking water, 556 00:26:18,178 --> 00:26:21,905 Losing as much weight, sweating, doing whatever he can 557 00:26:21,907 --> 00:26:23,790 To drop as much weight as possible. 558 00:26:24,701 --> 00:26:26,335 - The next day when he weighs in, 559 00:26:26,337 --> 00:26:28,211 He actually loses 12 pounds. 560 00:26:28,213 --> 00:26:30,446 It's about 8.5 percent of his body weight. 561 00:26:30,448 --> 00:26:33,616 This sort of rapid weight loss is really taxing on the body 562 00:26:33,618 --> 00:26:36,027 Because it taxes your immune system, 563 00:26:36,029 --> 00:26:38,638 Your kidneys, and your heart. 564 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:40,891 - [dan] but it's all worth it when a thrilled hayes 565 00:26:40,893 --> 00:26:43,185 Suits up for his debut race. 566 00:26:43,187 --> 00:26:45,561 - So the horse that frank hayes is riding, 567 00:26:45,563 --> 00:26:49,441 Sweet kiss, enters as a 20 to 1 underdog. 568 00:26:49,443 --> 00:26:51,818 The far and away favorite in this race 569 00:26:51,820 --> 00:26:52,961 Is a horse named gimmy 570 00:26:52,963 --> 00:26:56,657 Who was expected to just run away with this race. 571 00:26:56,659 --> 00:26:59,551 - And sweet kiss takes off like a bat outta hell 572 00:26:59,553 --> 00:27:00,476 With frank on top. 573 00:27:00,478 --> 00:27:02,070 - And hayes is doing everything he can 574 00:27:02,072 --> 00:27:04,147 To get this horse into the lead and he starts 575 00:27:04,149 --> 00:27:06,375 To bound away, he's starting to pull it off. 576 00:27:06,377 --> 00:27:08,076 He's starting to gain length 577 00:27:08,078 --> 00:27:09,961 Ahead of all the rest of the field. 578 00:27:09,963 --> 00:27:10,937 Can he do it? 579 00:27:10,939 --> 00:27:12,439 - Frank is living the dream 580 00:27:12,441 --> 00:27:15,717 And he slumps forward at one point during the race. 581 00:27:15,719 --> 00:27:18,220 Seems weird, but the horse just kind of kicks it 582 00:27:18,222 --> 00:27:19,571 Into higher gear. 583 00:27:19,573 --> 00:27:21,998 - [announcer] in the home stretch, it's all over, 584 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:23,441 But the statistics. 585 00:27:23,443 --> 00:27:26,077 - He crosses the finish line in this hunched position. 586 00:27:26,079 --> 00:27:27,579 - He has won the race. 587 00:27:27,581 --> 00:27:28,730 Frank hayes has done it. 588 00:27:28,732 --> 00:27:32,024 He has achieved his dream of being a champion jockey. 589 00:27:32,026 --> 00:27:34,677 - [dan] instead of raising his arms to celebrate, 590 00:27:34,679 --> 00:27:36,880 Frank is oddly still. 591 00:27:36,882 --> 00:27:39,090 - The owner comes rushing over to him, 592 00:27:39,092 --> 00:27:42,777 Ecstatic with this completely long shot victory. 593 00:27:42,779 --> 00:27:44,779 - And as he's about to congratulate him, 594 00:27:44,781 --> 00:27:47,098 Frank hayes falls off the saddle, 595 00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:49,458 Face first into the racetrack. 596 00:27:49,460 --> 00:27:52,437 - As it turns out, frank has had a heart attack. 597 00:27:53,031 --> 00:27:56,633 He died before crossing the finish line. 598 00:27:57,961 --> 00:28:02,264 Frank hayes becomes the only person in horse racing history 599 00:28:02,266 --> 00:28:05,141 To ever ride across the finish line of a race 600 00:28:05,143 --> 00:28:07,210 And win as a dead man. 601 00:28:07,988 --> 00:28:10,713 - [dan] as for the horse, he never races again, 602 00:28:10,715 --> 00:28:14,884 Earning the unofficial nickname, "sweet kiss of death." 603 00:28:15,796 --> 00:28:18,571 - Frank ends up getting buried at holy cross cemetery 604 00:28:18,573 --> 00:28:21,466 In brooklyn, wearing the very jockey uniform 605 00:28:21,468 --> 00:28:23,985 That he was wearing when he crossed the finish line 606 00:28:23,987 --> 00:28:25,820 And won this race at belmont. 607 00:28:25,822 --> 00:28:26,337 He very literally died a winner. 608 00:28:26,731 --> 00:28:27,956 He very literally died a winner. 609 00:28:31,828 --> 00:28:34,496 - Dead jockey wins at belmont. 610 00:28:34,498 --> 00:28:37,966 Now, that's a funny headline you don't read every day. 611 00:28:37,968 --> 00:28:40,427 But is it funny enough to kill you? 612 00:28:42,664 --> 00:28:45,015 - The 1970s are a great era for sketch comedy, 613 00:28:45,017 --> 00:28:46,324 I should know. 614 00:28:46,326 --> 00:28:50,878 But has a bit ever been so funny it has literally killed? 615 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,023 (tense music) 616 00:28:54,034 --> 00:28:56,100 - It's March 24th, 1975. 617 00:28:56,102 --> 00:28:59,787 Alex mitchell, 50 year old bricklayer from norfolk, England 618 00:28:59,789 --> 00:29:03,258 Sits down and watches favorite tv program, "the goodies". 619 00:29:03,260 --> 00:29:05,910 - [dan] the goodies are very big in britain 620 00:29:05,912 --> 00:29:06,703 At the time. 621 00:29:06,705 --> 00:29:09,747 Your classic, broad humored comedy trio. 622 00:29:09,749 --> 00:29:12,976 - Alex mitchell watches the show religiously. 623 00:29:12,978 --> 00:29:17,188 That night, the episode is "kung fu capers". 624 00:29:17,190 --> 00:29:20,692 - The height of it being a kilt clad scotsman 625 00:29:20,694 --> 00:29:23,695 With his bagpipe battling another opponent 626 00:29:23,697 --> 00:29:25,972 Armed with a black pudding. 627 00:29:25,974 --> 00:29:28,466 - I assume this was funny in 1975. 628 00:29:28,468 --> 00:29:30,101 - You know who thought it was funny? 629 00:29:30,103 --> 00:29:31,353 Alex thought it was funny. 630 00:29:32,146 --> 00:29:37,492 - Mr. Mitchell begins to laugh and it increases in volume 631 00:29:37,494 --> 00:29:39,961 And it increases in ferocity. 632 00:29:40,614 --> 00:29:44,232 - He begins to laugh uncontrollably to the point 633 00:29:44,234 --> 00:29:47,318 That he is literally urinating in his pants. 634 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:51,331 He cannot control his bowels, all systems are go. 635 00:29:52,676 --> 00:29:54,025 - [dan] after a full three minutes, 636 00:29:54,027 --> 00:29:57,254 His blood pressure has doubled, his abdominals tighten. 637 00:29:57,989 --> 00:30:00,990 (tense music) (clock ticking) 638 00:30:00,992 --> 00:30:03,251 - He's laughing uncontrollably for six minutes 639 00:30:03,253 --> 00:30:07,305 And that six minutes then extends into 15 minutes. 640 00:30:07,307 --> 00:30:09,491 - It gets more and more convulsive. 641 00:30:09,493 --> 00:30:12,251 He's grasping at his chest both for air 642 00:30:12,253 --> 00:30:15,772 And the pain in his accelerating heartbeat. 643 00:30:18,585 --> 00:30:22,361 - He's laughing so hard that it's taxing his respiratory 644 00:30:22,363 --> 00:30:24,281 And circulatory system 645 00:30:25,409 --> 00:30:27,609 And he has a massive heart attack 646 00:30:27,611 --> 00:30:31,446 And dies, coronary due to laughter. 647 00:30:31,448 --> 00:30:33,765 They say that laughter is the best medicine. 648 00:30:33,767 --> 00:30:35,792 I think alex overdosed on it. 649 00:30:36,878 --> 00:30:39,362 - [dan] now, we all know laughter can be contagious, 650 00:30:39,364 --> 00:30:43,032 But did you know that dancing can be too? 651 00:30:43,034 --> 00:30:44,718 (tense music) 652 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:47,645 - In the summer of 1518, 653 00:30:47,647 --> 00:30:50,206 A dance craze sweeps through the town 654 00:30:50,208 --> 00:30:53,934 Of strasbourg, France, but it's not a dance 655 00:30:53,936 --> 00:30:57,288 That people are actually choosing to do. 656 00:30:57,290 --> 00:30:58,790 You have people convulsing, 657 00:30:58,792 --> 00:31:01,392 Flailing around, tripping over themselves, 658 00:31:01,394 --> 00:31:04,629 Dancing in the street until their feet bleed. 659 00:31:04,631 --> 00:31:08,325 - [dan] it all starts one hot July day 660 00:31:08,985 --> 00:31:11,994 When a woman catches what will come to be known 661 00:31:11,996 --> 00:31:14,331 As the dancing bug. 662 00:31:16,609 --> 00:31:20,295 - A housewife walks into the square and begins to dance. 663 00:31:22,107 --> 00:31:24,015 - But it's not like normal dancing. 664 00:31:24,017 --> 00:31:25,416 (tense music) 665 00:31:25,418 --> 00:31:27,743 She starts to gyrate and gesticulate. 666 00:31:27,745 --> 00:31:31,747 She can't be dissuaded from this frantic dancing. 667 00:31:31,749 --> 00:31:33,641 - There's no music. 668 00:31:33,643 --> 00:31:34,976 - No accompaniment. 669 00:31:36,580 --> 00:31:39,439 - And a crowd begins to gather around her. 670 00:31:40,633 --> 00:31:42,983 What is this strange spectacle? 671 00:31:42,985 --> 00:31:46,704 - And for some reason, this becomes infectious. 672 00:31:46,706 --> 00:31:49,207 - [dan] soon, roughly 30 other dancers 673 00:31:49,209 --> 00:31:52,627 Join in the incessant dance-off. 674 00:31:52,629 --> 00:31:54,095 - Each passing day, 675 00:31:54,097 --> 00:31:58,549 More and more townspeople begin to gyrate, 676 00:31:58,551 --> 00:32:02,128 Shake out in the streets to the point 677 00:32:02,130 --> 00:32:04,255 Where their feet are bloody. 678 00:32:05,141 --> 00:32:08,193 Their bodies are racked with pain 679 00:32:08,195 --> 00:32:09,260 And yet they keep going 680 00:32:09,262 --> 00:32:12,230 Through these same hysterical motions. 681 00:32:12,232 --> 00:32:15,558 - [yohuru] there are 30, 40 people dancing along with her. 682 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:19,562 - Then, it grows to anywhere up to 400. 683 00:32:20,849 --> 00:32:22,399 The town is now in crisis. 684 00:32:22,401 --> 00:32:25,627 A substantial population is engaged 685 00:32:25,629 --> 00:32:29,330 In this agonizing dance marathon. 686 00:32:29,332 --> 00:32:30,915 Their limbs are getting bloody. 687 00:32:30,917 --> 00:32:33,951 They are falling and collapsing of exhaustion. 688 00:32:33,953 --> 00:32:36,162 - A person would dance, drop dead, 689 00:32:36,164 --> 00:32:40,091 And people would continue to dance around them. 690 00:32:40,093 --> 00:32:42,501 - They assume about 15 people 691 00:32:42,503 --> 00:32:46,005 A week actually die from the dancing plague. 692 00:32:46,007 --> 00:32:47,932 - [dan] eager to end the dancing, 693 00:32:47,934 --> 00:32:49,843 Officials finally take action. 694 00:32:49,845 --> 00:32:52,603 Their idea, more dancing. 695 00:32:52,605 --> 00:32:53,788 - They add fuel to the fire. 696 00:32:53,790 --> 00:32:57,925 They hire musicians to dance the so-called hot blood 697 00:32:57,927 --> 00:33:02,380 Out of the afflicted dancers. 698 00:33:02,382 --> 00:33:03,506 It doesn't work. 699 00:33:04,233 --> 00:33:06,434 - With the weeks passing and deaths mounting, 700 00:33:06,436 --> 00:33:10,096 The city decides it is time to crack down on sin. 701 00:33:10,098 --> 00:33:12,090 Immediately, all of the gambling houses 702 00:33:12,092 --> 00:33:14,075 And brothels are shut down. 703 00:33:14,077 --> 00:33:17,603 They even try making dancing illegal, a la "footloose", 704 00:33:17,605 --> 00:33:19,530 But none of this works. 705 00:33:19,532 --> 00:33:23,951 Eventually, they turn to a healing shrine nearby. 706 00:33:23,953 --> 00:33:25,544 (tense music) 707 00:33:25,546 --> 00:33:28,547 - They lead some of these hundreds of dancers 708 00:33:28,549 --> 00:33:29,698 To the healing shrine 709 00:33:29,700 --> 00:33:32,868 Where the afflicted are given red slippers, 710 00:33:32,870 --> 00:33:35,646 Anointed with holy water. 711 00:33:35,648 --> 00:33:38,283 - And it works, believe it or not, 712 00:33:38,285 --> 00:33:40,635 As a result of this effort to kind of remove them 713 00:33:40,637 --> 00:33:43,988 To st. Vitus' church and these red shoes, 714 00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:46,423 The dancing eventually subsides. 715 00:33:46,425 --> 00:33:50,611 - The dancing plague of 1518 is possibly 716 00:33:50,613 --> 00:33:52,980 The most bizarre case of mass hysteria 717 00:33:52,982 --> 00:33:54,632 That's ever been reported. 718 00:33:54,634 --> 00:33:56,317 There is sickness in the village, 719 00:33:56,319 --> 00:33:58,285 There is plague, leprosy. 720 00:33:58,287 --> 00:33:58,787 There is plague, leprosy. 721 00:33:59,489 --> 00:34:03,407 People might feel anxious about their survival, 722 00:34:03,409 --> 00:34:05,251 But would that in and of itself 723 00:34:05,253 --> 00:34:08,980 Be enough to generate this kind of mass hysteria? 724 00:34:08,982 --> 00:34:11,800 - [dan] well, we know it wasn't the music. 725 00:34:13,970 --> 00:34:15,603 - Throughout history, many people have come 726 00:34:15,605 --> 00:34:19,324 To an unfortunate end due to an excess of alcohol, 727 00:34:19,326 --> 00:34:22,601 But never in an incident quite as bizarre 728 00:34:22,603 --> 00:34:26,714 As what happened in london 200 years ago. 729 00:34:26,716 --> 00:34:28,399 (tense music) 730 00:34:28,401 --> 00:34:31,969 - In 19th century london, there's a veritable arms race 731 00:34:31,971 --> 00:34:35,281 For who can produce the most and the best beer. 732 00:34:35,283 --> 00:34:38,042 The winner at the time is the horseshoe brewery, 733 00:34:38,044 --> 00:34:40,578 In the slums of st. Giles. 734 00:34:41,781 --> 00:34:43,781 - The horseshoe brewery is producing 735 00:34:43,783 --> 00:34:45,691 Large amounts of porter. 736 00:34:45,693 --> 00:34:48,652 - 103,000 barrels a year. 737 00:34:48,654 --> 00:34:52,556 Imagine, if you will, hundred thousand gallon, 738 00:34:52,558 --> 00:34:57,387 Wooden vats held together with iron bands. 739 00:34:57,389 --> 00:35:01,598 A worker wanders by one of the vats one day 740 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:04,735 And he says, "ah, a ring slipped down a little bit," 741 00:35:04,737 --> 00:35:06,186 And he tells his boss 742 00:35:06,188 --> 00:35:10,024 And his boss goes, "oh yeah, that happens. That happens." 743 00:35:10,818 --> 00:35:13,636 - The iron hoop actually buckles, 744 00:35:13,638 --> 00:35:16,238 Releasing gas in the tank. 745 00:35:16,240 --> 00:35:19,658 - And a massive explosion 746 00:35:19,660 --> 00:35:22,920 And a chain reaction occurs where one vat pops 747 00:35:22,922 --> 00:35:26,374 And then it pops these subsequent other vats. 748 00:35:27,076 --> 00:35:29,560 - As a result, st. Giles rookery 749 00:35:29,562 --> 00:35:32,672 Will now be the site of a 15 foot tidal wave, 750 00:35:33,483 --> 00:35:36,467 388,000 gallons of porter beer, 751 00:35:36,469 --> 00:35:39,345 Which comes rushing out of the horseshoe brewery. 752 00:35:39,347 --> 00:35:41,272 - [dan] no matter how much you like beer, 753 00:35:41,274 --> 00:35:42,773 Let's face it, 754 00:35:42,775 --> 00:35:45,326 A 15 foot wave of the stuff is terrifying. 755 00:35:45,328 --> 00:35:48,279 - Because it's essentially a slum, st. Giles rookery 756 00:35:48,281 --> 00:35:49,521 Is so overcrowded. 757 00:35:49,523 --> 00:35:51,615 There are a lot of people living 2 and 3 families to a home. 758 00:35:51,617 --> 00:35:53,876 People living in basements and we have 759 00:35:53,878 --> 00:35:56,571 A deadly flood of hot beer. 760 00:35:57,540 --> 00:36:01,809 - Mary banfield is having tea with her daughter 761 00:36:01,811 --> 00:36:03,912 In one of these basements. 762 00:36:03,914 --> 00:36:07,207 The flood fills it from the bottom up 763 00:36:08,134 --> 00:36:11,436 And mary is able to swim to escape, 764 00:36:11,438 --> 00:36:13,630 But her daughter is not. 765 00:36:15,257 --> 00:36:20,486 Notoriously at this time, there is a irish wake happening 766 00:36:20,488 --> 00:36:23,431 And this party is absolutely devastated 767 00:36:23,433 --> 00:36:27,985 By a 45 mile an hour deluge of porter. 768 00:36:27,987 --> 00:36:30,805 - When all's said and done at the end of the day, 769 00:36:30,807 --> 00:36:32,457 More than eight people are dead. 770 00:36:32,459 --> 00:36:34,825 And that's not even accounting for the hundreds of people 771 00:36:34,827 --> 00:36:36,903 That ended up injured from this whole thing. 772 00:36:36,905 --> 00:36:39,071 - [dan] that doesn't stop hoards of people 773 00:36:39,073 --> 00:36:40,073 Swarming the streets 774 00:36:40,075 --> 00:36:44,152 To score free beer, no matter the risk. 775 00:36:44,154 --> 00:36:45,686 - We do have a great deal of illness 776 00:36:45,688 --> 00:36:49,081 Because as you can imagine, scooping beer out of the gutters 777 00:36:49,083 --> 00:36:51,292 That are full of human waste and debris 778 00:36:51,294 --> 00:36:54,295 And horse excrement doesn't make for a good drink. 779 00:36:54,297 --> 00:36:57,715 - It seems kind of like a street party, except yuck. 780 00:36:57,717 --> 00:36:59,925 And there's actually an unsubstantiated story 781 00:36:59,927 --> 00:37:04,097 That one of the men dies from alcohol poisoning. 782 00:37:06,042 --> 00:37:07,916 - [dan] over 100 years later, 783 00:37:07,918 --> 00:37:11,187 An even weirder flood takes an american city by storm. 784 00:37:13,399 --> 00:37:15,149 - We're in boston in 1919 785 00:37:15,151 --> 00:37:17,568 And we've got history repeating itself 786 00:37:17,570 --> 00:37:20,421 In an eerily similar fashion. 787 00:37:21,198 --> 00:37:24,450 - Martin clopherty is in his room taking a nap. 788 00:37:24,452 --> 00:37:27,412 His family is downstairs enjoying a meal. 789 00:37:29,015 --> 00:37:31,715 - And he's awakened by the rumbling noise. 790 00:37:31,717 --> 00:37:34,718 - [dan] before he can call out to his family, 791 00:37:34,720 --> 00:37:37,004 An explosion rocks the neighborhood. 792 00:37:37,006 --> 00:37:40,341 - Martin is flung forcefully from his bed, 793 00:37:40,343 --> 00:37:44,721 Through his window and lands outside. 794 00:37:50,811 --> 00:37:52,662 - Just imagine you wake up, 795 00:37:52,664 --> 00:37:54,889 You're now in the street in front of your house, 796 00:37:54,891 --> 00:37:59,735 Surrounded by a sea of black and sticky tar like substance. 797 00:37:59,737 --> 00:38:01,495 Maybe you're still dreaming. 798 00:38:02,132 --> 00:38:03,898 Maybe it's a nightmare you'll wake up from. 799 00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,016 You put your fingers down to taste. 800 00:38:06,018 --> 00:38:07,810 It's not tar. 801 00:38:07,812 --> 00:38:09,253 - [dan] it's molasses. 802 00:38:09,255 --> 00:38:12,723 So odd that martin can't quite believe it. 803 00:38:12,725 --> 00:38:15,242 - Everybody's accounted for except for his mother. 804 00:38:15,244 --> 00:38:17,085 He sees her through the window. 805 00:38:17,087 --> 00:38:19,747 Covered head to toe now in molasses, 806 00:38:19,749 --> 00:38:21,740 He realizes he can't lift his feet. 807 00:38:21,742 --> 00:38:24,001 - He's trying desperately to try to get to her, 808 00:38:24,003 --> 00:38:27,572 But the more he moves, the more stuck he gets. 809 00:38:27,574 --> 00:38:30,558 - He sees the house collapse, leaving his mother 810 00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:33,770 As one of the casualties of the molasses flood. 811 00:38:33,772 --> 00:38:37,281 - [dan] so just how did this syrupy swamp start? 812 00:38:37,283 --> 00:38:41,318 - It happens that martin's home is adjacent 813 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:45,490 To an enormous molasses distillery plant. 814 00:38:46,759 --> 00:38:49,460 - [dan] yep, the same molasses grandma put 815 00:38:49,462 --> 00:38:53,247 In her gingerbread cookies also creates disasters. 816 00:38:54,333 --> 00:38:54,957 This one starts 817 00:38:54,959 --> 00:38:57,067 With unseasonably warm weather in January. 818 00:38:57,069 --> 00:39:00,154 When the temperatures reach a high of 40 degrees, 819 00:39:00,156 --> 00:39:01,547 The distillery doesn't turn down 820 00:39:01,549 --> 00:39:05,050 The furnaces used to keep the molasses from freezing. 821 00:39:05,052 --> 00:39:08,387 - The molasses heats up precipitously. 822 00:39:08,389 --> 00:39:09,880 It begins to expand. 823 00:39:09,882 --> 00:39:14,285 It begins to buckle the enormous holding vat. 824 00:39:14,287 --> 00:39:17,271 - [dan] then, cracks start forming in the tanks. 825 00:39:17,273 --> 00:39:19,941 - The company doesn't fix the problem, 826 00:39:19,943 --> 00:39:22,384 They just paint over it with brown paint, thinking, 827 00:39:22,386 --> 00:39:27,331 Oh, no one will notice, which is shady as can be. 828 00:39:27,333 --> 00:39:29,634 (dramatic music) 829 00:39:29,636 --> 00:39:31,460 (rupture booming) 830 00:39:31,462 --> 00:39:33,746 - When this vat ruptures and bursts, 831 00:39:33,748 --> 00:39:38,376 The molasses is completely fluid and it's moving fast. 832 00:39:39,979 --> 00:39:43,338 - And then, it's a mad rush to try to survive. 833 00:39:43,933 --> 00:39:46,567 - A public works employee is repairing the streets 834 00:39:46,569 --> 00:39:47,518 With cobblestones. 835 00:39:47,520 --> 00:39:49,803 This huge flood comes down the street. 836 00:39:49,805 --> 00:39:52,089 It knocks him 20 feet into a pile 837 00:39:52,091 --> 00:39:56,602 Of unforgiving granite cobble stones and cracks his skull. 838 00:39:58,264 --> 00:40:00,923 - [dan] he may have survived if not for the fact 839 00:40:00,925 --> 00:40:04,368 That as molasses cools, it becomes thicker. 840 00:40:04,370 --> 00:40:06,353 - The molasses begins to harden. 841 00:40:06,355 --> 00:40:12,293 So like bugs in amber, you have whole humans encased. 842 00:40:12,295 --> 00:40:17,515 Anybody who's trapped within this vast blob 843 00:40:17,517 --> 00:40:19,958 Is smothered to death. 844 00:40:19,960 --> 00:40:22,720 - It's slow enough that if you're in it, 845 00:40:22,722 --> 00:40:27,024 You're aware of what's going on as it's all ending. 846 00:40:27,026 --> 00:40:28,058 Awful. 847 00:40:28,060 --> 00:40:29,694 (tense music) 848 00:40:29,696 --> 00:40:33,263 - [dan] the tidal wave of molasses devastates the city. 849 00:40:33,265 --> 00:40:37,084 - Streetcars, livestock, vehicles, 850 00:40:37,086 --> 00:40:39,903 Commercial buildings are covered. 851 00:40:39,905 --> 00:40:41,189 - They're trying to scrape the molasses. 852 00:40:41,191 --> 00:40:42,814 They're trying to dissolve the molasses. 853 00:40:42,816 --> 00:40:44,733 They're adding sand to the situation 854 00:40:44,735 --> 00:40:46,460 So something grippy can grab 855 00:40:46,462 --> 00:40:48,746 Some of that molasses stickiness. 856 00:40:48,748 --> 00:40:49,672 - [dan] after four days, 857 00:40:49,674 --> 00:40:52,066 Rescuers stop searching for survivors. 858 00:40:52,068 --> 00:40:54,393 Many of the dead are so covered with molasses 859 00:40:54,395 --> 00:40:58,664 That they are unrecognizable to their families. 860 00:40:58,666 --> 00:41:00,090 - There are 21 deaths 861 00:41:00,092 --> 00:41:03,010 Attributed to the great molasses flood. 862 00:41:03,012 --> 00:41:05,037 - Not all victims of the molasses flood 863 00:41:05,039 --> 00:41:06,655 Are buried in the molasses. 864 00:41:06,657 --> 00:41:10,092 Some are actually washed right out to boston harbor, 865 00:41:10,094 --> 00:41:12,253 As they're now encased in molasses 866 00:41:12,255 --> 00:41:13,921 And sunk under the water. 867 00:41:13,923 --> 00:41:16,832 Some of them are not found until three or four months 868 00:41:16,834 --> 00:41:20,411 After the fact when their bodies begin to float 869 00:41:20,413 --> 00:41:22,413 Up to the top of the harbor. 870 00:41:22,415 --> 00:41:25,941 - Bostonians report for years and years later, 871 00:41:25,943 --> 00:41:28,010 The smell of molasses permeating the area 872 00:41:28,012 --> 00:41:30,854 And public fixtures like lampposts and public telephones 873 00:41:30,856 --> 00:41:35,575 And the elevated railways still being sticky to the touch 874 00:41:35,577 --> 00:41:37,161 Years down the road. 875 00:41:38,522 --> 00:41:41,957 - Most of us hope our deaths will be fairly uneventful, 876 00:41:41,959 --> 00:41:47,045 But for those facing a speeding tennis ball, a flying poodle, 877 00:41:47,047 --> 00:41:51,609 Or a funny tv show, the end came in ways 878 00:41:51,611 --> 00:41:54,220 That are truly unbelievable.