PEACE

Ten Unusual Accidents

Figures published by the Department of Health reveal a huge range of unusual accidents, which put people in hospital in England in 2004.  Here is just a small sample.  Odd accidents affect one million people.

Fact is always stranger than fiction.  Here is are ten freak accidents.

1) Two people were admitted after being in contact with venomous spiders.  Both stayed in hospital for five days.  Coincidence or the nature of spider venom?

2) Twenty two people suffered from exposure to ignition or melting of nightwear, most of them men.  Does this mean that contrary to the male psyche, women do not wear nightwear?

3) 1,481 people, most of them children, were injured by hot drinks.  Most of the poor children required an overnight stay in hospital.

4) Two people needed five days of treatment after contact with centipedes or venomous millipedes.
What goes ninety nine bonk, ninety nine bonk?  Answer a centipede with a wooden leg.

5) 15 people were admitted after contact with a marine animal.  On average they needed an average of two days in hospital.

6) Four people had an average of two days' treatment after exposure to vibrations.

7) 1,839 people - fell out of trees.  No surprises that 80% of the injuries were to children.

4,533 people fell when using ice-skates, skis, roller-skates or skateboards. 57% of them were under 15.

9) One boy needed an overnight stay after being ' bitten or struck' by an alligator. (By comparison, 3,508 people were bitten or struck by dogs.)

10) One child was admitted to hospital after 'prolonged stay in a weightless environment' . He or she did not stay overnight. There are no further details about who this person was or how they had come to need treatment.