THE TIME THE US JUSTICE SYSTEM TRIED TO RE-IMPRISON A MODEL CITIZEN THEY HAD RELEASED 90 YEARS EARLY. It was just another day for Rene Lima-Marin in his job helping to transform city skylines by installing glass windows into skyscrapers until an unknown caller buzzed his mobile phone. The woman on the line said she... Continue Reading →
Child Drowned for an Hour Survives, 1986
A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water one Summer in Utah. On a hot June day the birds were singing, the bees buzzing, and mum’s voice on the phone wafted through the warm air, so warm after a late start to Summer. Her reassuring tones set her blond-haired toddler at ease... Continue Reading →
Train Crash for Publicity, 1896
What's the best way to promote train travel to Texas? Stage a train crash for people to come and see there, of course! Read about what happened on the big day when the guy in charge of health and safety took the day off. We know that one to two hundred years back, people’s faith... Continue Reading →
Grim Reaper Refuses to Let Death Row Escapee Live, 1980
One man's fate to die on a date in 1980 was so strong even escaping Death Row could not postpone his mortality. Read here how he met his end. Such is the antisocial, troublesome character of some people you meet that you just know they’re destined to be dead or in prison before they reach... Continue Reading →
The 14 Year-Old Cop, 2009
The embarrassing episode for the Chicago Police Dept. when they discovered a teenager had managed to get hold of a uniform and go under cover as a cop. Find out what duties he performed during his 'shift' and try to figure out how he slipped through the net. It was just past lunchtime and a... Continue Reading →
Lawnchair Larry’s Balloon Flight 1982
To fly is a dream, and every kid imagines acquiring enough helium balloons for a little aerial adventure. Big kid Larry Walters actually pulled off the stunt for real in an epic flight over Los Angeles. Read about how he did it here. Who hasn’t held a bunch of helium balloons as a kid and... Continue Reading →
Freak Streak of Coincidences Saves Choir from Death, 1950
God surely showed his hand when an exceptional spate of coincidences rescued 15 of his choristers from being blown to smithereens It was a frigid evening on the first day of March in 1950 and the clock was ticking towards utter tragedy for the fifteen members of the West Side Baptist Church choir, in Beatrice, Nebraska.... Continue Reading →
UK’s Terrible Twin Town, 2006
It was an awkward moment when Mantao representative George McLauchlan crossed the Atlantic to present a commemorative clock to Bideford town's officials, only for them to not have a clue why. Find out what happened here. Before Mr Riley’s visit… (eveningstandard.co.uk) The sky above was white and seagulls could be heard in the distance being... Continue Reading →
Gigantic Popsicle Floods Manhattan Square, 2005
Who've guessed Snapple's attempt to erect the world's largest popsicle in the world would result in Manhattan's denizens fleeing the streets to save their footwear from getting gunged? Read on to find out what occurred. It was the height of a June Summer in the heart of Downtown Manhattan, New York where the possibly underemployed... Continue Reading →
Man Discovers Nail in Head, 2005
Patrick Lawler seemed fine after a small accident at work. What seemed at first to be a lousy toothache turned into needing emergency surgery after a stunning X-ray find. Read to find out what happened. The 23-year-old construction worker, with black eyebrows and goatee, sat on the edge of his chair and gnawed on his... Continue Reading →