>>THE DARWIN AWARDS are given every year to bestow upon (the remains of)
>>that individual, who through single-minded self-sacrifice, has done the
>>most to remove undesirable elements from the human gene pool.  Here's 
>>another nominee:

   "Well, I can't say as I'm very surprised," said Station Manager Ed
   Brace of the unfortunate incident that claimed the life of (former)
   reporter Bob Sanders, "Although it is, of course, a terrible
   tragedy."

   Cameraman Nick Winslow agreed.  Initially assigned to cover a
   tropical storm with Sanders, they were both pulled off the story
   when it was upgraded to a hurricane.  "Bob told me he was going
   despite the evacuation, and tried to get me to go with him, claiming
   it would 'boost my career,' but there was no way I was going to risk
   my life in that storm.  I feel bad, now, considering what happened,
   but I'm still glad I chose to visit my friends up north than try to
   stick it out here."

   Lacking a cameraman, and despite strict orders to the contrary, Bob
   nevertheless managed to purloin a camera and tripod in the confusion
   of the evacuation, throw both in the back of his truck, and head
   towards the storm.

   Investigators were later able to piece together what must have
   happened from the tape Sanders made of the event.

   Leaving the rural station, Sanders headed south towards the coast
   and into the storm, battling high winds, flooding, and flying debris
   as he went.  Once there, though, he realized he had a problem:  the
   tripod he had snagged was designed for studio use, and was no match
   for the hurricane-force winds.  After many aborted attempts, all
   ending with him reporting at different odd angles, Sanders finally
   managed to wedge the camera and tripod in amongst some branches and
   other debris blown against a small stand of trees.  Just as he did
   so, however, the storm stopped:  Sanders was now in the exact center
   of the storm.

   Using his respite to set things up, Sanders framed a dramatic shot: 
   Wind at his back, flooded condominiums behind him, he would record
   his story as soon as the winds began again.

   The 'eyewall', or ring of air around the eye of a hurricane, is the
   area of highest surface winds.  And, of course, if it's blowing one
   way as it passes over you the first time, it will blow the opposite
   direction when it hits again.

   The mass of branches and debris that contained Sanders' camera, when
   hit by the other side of the eyewall, had nothing holding it back.
   As Sanders turned back around from gesturing at the rising waves
   behind him, he could only watch with astonishment as camera, tripod,
   branches and debris rushed at him, propelled by 110 mile-per-hour
   winds.

   Sanders and his (surprisingly undamaged) camera were found by
   volunteers two days later.  Investigators report he was killed by a
   blow to the head by a large blunt object.  Analysis of the head wound
   as well as a study of the chaotic footage of the event indicate he
   may have been killed by his own camera.

   "He certainly did cover an amazing story," said Brace, "but I don't
   think his own death was what he had in mind."