Oakland County Sheriff on sledding explosion: 'It's best to leave Rocket Man to the movies'

[TitsMcGee]

Articles from Mlive.com and Yahoo News

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard is warning residents to leave Rocket Man to the movies after a 62-year-old man strapped a homemade rocket to his back Sunday at a sledding party in Independence Township.

"It’s a very, very dangerous idea," Bouchard told the Oakland Press. "Fortunately it was constructed to release in a fiery fashion instead of containing the fire and exploding. Sadly, he will have physical repercussions for awhile. We’re recommending it’s best to leave Rocket Man to the movies.”

The man remained hospitalized Monday with serious burns and will require further treatment for an eye injury.

Here's what we know happened:

* The man apparently held a sledding party every year. He regularly did "outrageous" things at the parties, "but he's never blown himself up before," Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe told the Detroit Free Press.

* At this year's event, he reportedly consumed an unknown amount of alcohol

* Then, he began to construct the rocket, filling a muffler with gunpowder, match heads and gasoline.

* He put on a motorcycle helmet and donned a plastic garbage bag as a cape

* He asked someone to light his wick, then took off on a sled down the hill

* Predictably, the rocket failed and burned him badly on the face

While his injuries are no laughing matter, some of the comparisons the story has drawn are:

* Home Improvement episodes (us)

* The saucer scene in Christmas Vacation (us)

* Wile E. Coyote (commenters)

* Rocket Man (Bouchard)

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 62-year-old sledder looking for a burst of power got it when the homemade rocket strapped to his back exploded, burning him over nearly 20 percent of his body. Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said the man, whose identity hasn't been released, was hospitalized in stable condition Monday.

The man was hosting a Sunday night sledding party when he filled an automobile muffler with gasoline and gunpowder, strapped it to his back and had it lit, seeking what McCabe called "a rocket-launch effect."

The device blew up as the man headed downhill, causing second-degree burns to his face and right side of his body and possible eye damage.

No charges have been filed against the man, whom McCabe said is known for doing "outrageous things" at his sledding parties.

Somewhere Darwin is laughing his ass off.

[pomba gira]

I just wonder how this halfwit managed to live to be 62 years old.

[Tyger]

I just wonder how this halfwit managed to live to be 62 years old.

That is ridiculous.

[Homicidalheathen]

One of the side effects of cabin fever...DOING STUPID SHIT IN THE SNOW!

At this year's event, he reportedly consumed an unknown amount of alcohol

* Then, he began to construct the rocket, filling a muffler with gunpowder, match heads and gasoline.

* He put on a motorcycle helmet and donned a plastic garbage bag as a cape (you might be a redneck...IF???) LOL!

* He asked someone to light his wick, then took off on a sled down the hill

* Predictably, the rocket failed and burned him badly on the face

thank you this made my day.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Homicidalheathen

[Rev.Reverence]

Grandpa's makin' rockets again Grandma'!