Safety First
Posted on 11/26/2001 6:44:06 AM PST by dighton
A part-time inventor suffered whiplash when a squirrel landed on his head as he was out testing a bird-feeding hat.
Mike Madden was walking through woodland when a large grey squirrel spied the nuts on his hat's feeding tray.
The squirrel landed with such force that Mr Madden was knocked to the ground and injured his neck.
Mr Madden, 48, who is a welder, has been taking pain-killers and wearing a neck brace since the accident. The accident happened near his home in Crackpot Cottage, Honley, Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. The contraption was destroyed. He has vowed not to build another.
He said: "I was out walking through the woods with my friend Craig Bailey. We had only just started the walk when kaboom - I was on the floor.
"I didn't see much of what happened but Craig told me he saw the squirrel flying through the air and land right on my head. The next morning I was in so much agony."
Mr Madden designed the hat so that birds could feed from it while he was out walking because he was concerned about their winter food supplies. He did not think that other inhabitants of the woodlands would take an interest in it.
Mr Madden said: "Someone told me afterwards that with it coming up to winter and food being so short, squirrels can be quite aggressive and opportunistic. I wish I had known that before.
"I've always liked squirrels - but once you've had one land on your head travelling about 30mph you can easily go off them.
"I couldn't tell you exactly how much it weighed but I think it was about the size of a small puppy or kitten. It felt solid when it hit me but I was lucky really because it cold have taken my head off."
Copyright © 2001 Ananova Ltd
Perfect explanation.
Heh heh heh. I love squirrels.
And I just know that someone will post that hair-raising picture of the squirrel with the really big...uh...nads.
I once had a squirrel climb up my leg..and I didn't have any food at the time. I was smoking a cigar.
I've seen them jump off roofs onto bird feeders as well. I can see this happening, especially if they are used to people.
Guess the patent is still pending on the `bird feeding hat'! *LOL*
Note to self: Cancel plans for Grizzly Bear feeding hat experiment.
( craig is cowering over mike)
MIKE: OOOWWW! Man! What happened!
(craig slowly backs off holding something behind his back)
CRAIG: Um, er, it was, a....., squirrel. Yea! That's it, a squirrel! A huge thing it was, with pointy teeth and claws like a panther!
MIKE: Wow! That's uncanny! So where is it now?
( mike urgently looks around)
CRAIG: It um,...left,...about a minute ago.
( mike catches a glimpse of something behind craig)
MIKE: Hey what's that? (pointing behind craig)
CRAIG: This? Oh. Well this is just a crowbar I like to carry around with me. And, ...and, ... I used it to save you from the squirrel onslaught!
MIKE: Really? Thanks pal. Man, I was lucky you were around.
CRAIG: yea....,
MIKE: Boy! Squirrels are sure wacky aren't they!
CRAIG: They sure are Mike. They sure are.
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