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1
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(tense music)
2
00:00:14,549 --> 00:00:19,477
Imagine falling asleep in your
armchair one peaceful evening
3
00:00:19,479 --> 00:00:22,063
And then suddenly
bursting into flames.
4
00:00:22,657 --> 00:00:25,667
- There's a pile of ash
where mary is sitting.
5
00:00:25,669 --> 00:00:28,386
One of her feet is
completely intact.
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00:00:29,231 --> 00:00:33,307
- Or being crushed to
death by a falling poodle.
7
00:00:34,244 --> 00:00:37,737
- The dog is getting closer
and closer to this balcony.
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00:00:37,739 --> 00:00:39,989
- It falls the 13 floors.
9
00:00:40,992 --> 00:00:43,910
- How about leaping off the
eiffel tower in a flying suit
10
00:00:43,912 --> 00:00:46,846
And plummeting 18
stories to the ground?
11
00:00:46,848 --> 00:00:50,983
- Frantz is so excited to
show the world this wingsuit
12
00:00:50,985 --> 00:00:52,076
And then, he jumps.
13
00:00:52,078 --> 00:00:53,661
(dramatic music)
14
00:00:53,663 --> 00:00:55,739
- These are the
deaths so surprising,
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00:00:55,741 --> 00:00:58,166
They are truly unbelievable.
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00:00:58,168 --> 00:01:00,602
(dramatic music)
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00:01:11,281 --> 00:01:14,390
It's not unusual for oily
rags, grass clippings,
18
00:01:14,392 --> 00:01:17,177
Or even coal to
spontaneously catch fire
19
00:01:17,179 --> 00:01:19,279
When the conditions are right,
20
00:01:19,281 --> 00:01:21,456
But could the same thing happen
21
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To a 67 year old woman?
22
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(tense music)
23
00:01:28,857 --> 00:01:31,382
- Mary reeser gets home
one night to her apartment,
24
00:01:31,384 --> 00:01:35,061
Plops down in her overstuffed,
upholstered easy chair,
25
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Pops a couple of sedatives
26
00:01:36,348 --> 00:01:38,014
'cause she's trying
to get some rest,
27
00:01:38,016 --> 00:01:39,850
Passes out and goes to sleep.
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- 8:00 am the next morning,
29
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Her landlord, pansy carpenter,
smells some smoke.
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So she goes and she
touches the doorknob
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00:01:52,330 --> 00:01:53,813
And it's too hot to touch.
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00:01:53,815 --> 00:01:57,467
So she fears, rightfully so,
that there's a fire inside.
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00:01:57,469 --> 00:01:58,468
(knocking)
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00:01:58,470 --> 00:02:00,186
- The police department's
immediately called
35
00:02:00,188 --> 00:02:01,221
And they show up
36
00:02:01,223 --> 00:02:03,272
And when they open the
door, they see something
37
00:02:03,274 --> 00:02:04,916
That they've never seen before.
38
00:02:06,003 --> 00:02:08,461
(tense music)
39
00:02:09,155 --> 00:02:10,838
- Very little is
left of the chair,
40
00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:12,674
Just some springs
and some debris.
41
00:02:13,601 --> 00:02:16,677
There's a pile of ash
where mary was sitting.
42
00:02:16,679 --> 00:02:21,441
One of her feet is completely
intact, still in the slipper.
43
00:02:21,443 --> 00:02:23,976
- Stranger still, nothing else
44
00:02:23,978 --> 00:02:26,229
In the apartment
has caught fire.
45
00:02:27,482 --> 00:02:32,510
A pile of newspapers, feet
away, completely untouched.
46
00:02:32,512 --> 00:02:34,370
Light switches on
the wall are melted,
47
00:02:34,372 --> 00:02:37,424
But the outlets on the
bottom are still operational
48
00:02:37,426 --> 00:02:38,909
And perfectly intact.
49
00:02:38,911 --> 00:02:40,460
- The pictures are on the walls,
50
00:02:40,462 --> 00:02:42,536
The floor perfectly
fine, the ceiling,
51
00:02:42,538 --> 00:02:45,022
No smoke damage and
yet mary reeser,
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00:02:45,024 --> 00:02:47,542
Burned to a crisp, gone.
53
00:02:48,569 --> 00:02:54,031
- [dan] so what caused mary
reeser to suddenly go poof?
54
00:02:54,033 --> 00:02:57,110
- For a human body to be fully
cremated, you have to be
55
00:02:57,112 --> 00:03:00,180
In a fire that is
upwards of 3,000 degrees
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00:03:00,182 --> 00:03:02,757
For upwards of three hours.
57
00:03:02,759 --> 00:03:04,617
Perhaps she lit a cigarette,
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00:03:04,619 --> 00:03:07,487
The cigarette lit her clothes
on fire and she burned.
59
00:03:07,489 --> 00:03:11,657
Yet somehow, fire didn't
spread to any other apartment.
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00:03:11,659 --> 00:03:14,194
No one smelled smoke, saw smoke.
61
00:03:14,196 --> 00:03:17,914
- There's just no way
that any household fire
62
00:03:17,916 --> 00:03:20,967
Would be able to consume
a human being that way.
63
00:03:20,969 --> 00:03:24,370
- [dan] even more bizarre,
mary's skull is found,
64
00:03:24,372 --> 00:03:26,372
But it's mysteriously smaller.
65
00:03:26,374 --> 00:03:28,491
- In a normal cremation setting,
66
00:03:28,493 --> 00:03:31,001
The human skull
is going to crack.
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00:03:31,003 --> 00:03:33,170
- In her case, the
skull shrinks down
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00:03:33,172 --> 00:03:35,590
To the size of a baseball.
69
00:03:35,592 --> 00:03:37,683
- And doesn't that
sound suspicious?
70
00:03:37,685 --> 00:03:38,927
(dramatic music)
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00:03:38,929 --> 00:03:40,653
- The authorities
begin to wonder,
72
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Is there some soviet
weapon at play?
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00:03:43,174 --> 00:03:46,267
So the fbi begins
investigating this.
74
00:03:46,269 --> 00:03:49,378
- [dan] it's so perplexing,
it makes it all the way up
75
00:03:49,380 --> 00:03:51,280
To director j. Edgar hoover.
76
00:03:51,983 --> 00:03:54,091
- He looks at this case
and he's so concerned
77
00:03:54,093 --> 00:03:57,186
That he actually lets the
president, harry s. Truman,
78
00:03:57,188 --> 00:03:59,847
Know about this case
going on in florida.
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00:03:59,849 --> 00:04:02,041
He employs his top
forensic anthropologist
80
00:04:02,043 --> 00:04:03,893
At the time, wilton krogman.
81
00:04:03,895 --> 00:04:07,497
- [dan] wilton krogman is a
pioneer in the forensics field
82
00:04:07,499 --> 00:04:10,867
And the most qualified man in
the country to solve the case.
83
00:04:10,869 --> 00:04:12,885
- He shows up to the scene
84
00:04:12,887 --> 00:04:14,445
And he has no idea
what's going on.
85
00:04:14,447 --> 00:04:17,723
How does a skull
shrink in a fire?
86
00:04:17,725 --> 00:04:20,176
That's not a thing that's
supposed to happen.
87
00:04:20,178 --> 00:04:22,478
- [dan] desperate,
the fbi entertains
88
00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,048
A number of strange
possibilities.
89
00:04:25,050 --> 00:04:27,225
(tense music)
90
00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:29,126
- A lot of people
speculate foul play
91
00:04:29,128 --> 00:04:32,705
And that someone had
come in and doused mary
92
00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,317
With kerosene and
set her alight.
93
00:04:36,636 --> 00:04:37,802
- All the associated things
94
00:04:37,804 --> 00:04:39,395
That you would have
inside of an arson case
95
00:04:39,397 --> 00:04:42,098
With accelerant, all the
samples that were collected
96
00:04:42,100 --> 00:04:44,400
And sent to the laboratory,
none of it comes back
97
00:04:44,402 --> 00:04:47,678
With any sort of traces
of accelerant in it.
98
00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:50,481
- The next theory
the fbi investigates
99
00:04:50,483 --> 00:04:52,425
Comes from an anonymous tip.
100
00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:54,260
- An anonymous person calls up
101
00:04:54,262 --> 00:04:57,430
And says that a fireball
comes in through the window,
102
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Lights mary on fire.
103
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(dramatic music)
104
00:05:02,687 --> 00:05:05,496
- Gave an official statement,
said, "I've seen it.
105
00:05:05,498 --> 00:05:07,974
A fireball came in her
window and hit it."
106
00:05:08,835 --> 00:05:10,927
(fire crackling)
107
00:05:10,929 --> 00:05:15,081
Generally speaking, fireballs
don't fly through windows.
108
00:05:15,083 --> 00:05:17,450
- What it could be is another
unexplained phenomenon
109
00:05:17,452 --> 00:05:20,111
Of ball lightning,
which is controversial.
110
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It may or may not exist.
111
00:05:21,406 --> 00:05:24,290
I mean, how much credence do
we put into anonymous tips?
112
00:05:24,292 --> 00:05:26,576
I mean, right there we think
it's a little bit of bs.
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- [dan] is it possible
the most likely explanation
114
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Is also the most unbelievable?
115
00:05:32,033 --> 00:05:34,726
Spontaneous human combustion?
116
00:05:34,728 --> 00:05:37,670
- Spontaneous human
combustion is an idea
117
00:05:37,672 --> 00:05:40,881
That someone just all of a
sudden bursts into flames
118
00:05:40,883 --> 00:05:43,050
And it only impacts
the individual
119
00:05:43,052 --> 00:05:45,311
And it doesn't
impact anything else.
120
00:05:45,313 --> 00:05:48,548
- Spontaneous combustion
does happen in nature.
121
00:05:49,208 --> 00:05:51,935
Hay bales, you have
wet and dry hay,
122
00:05:51,937 --> 00:05:53,386
The wet hay still alive,
123
00:05:53,388 --> 00:05:55,404
Going through its
respiration process,
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00:05:55,406 --> 00:05:56,881
Taking in carbon dioxide,
125
00:05:56,883 --> 00:05:59,058
Pumping out oxygen,
and this creates heat.
126
00:05:59,060 --> 00:06:02,478
So you'll have hay bales that
just spontaneously combust.
127
00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:03,929
- [dan] the question is,
128
00:06:03,931 --> 00:06:06,574
Could this also
happen to humans?
129
00:06:07,068 --> 00:06:11,054
Shockingly, there have been
roughly 200 recorded cases
130
00:06:11,056 --> 00:06:14,224
Of spontaneous human
combustion in history.
131
00:06:14,226 --> 00:06:18,795
- In 1470, there is an
italian knight in milan
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00:06:18,797 --> 00:06:24,283
Who after a night of drinking,
according to witnesses,
133
00:06:24,285 --> 00:06:27,453
Begins to actually
belch up flame.
134
00:06:27,455 --> 00:06:33,143
And finally, his entire body
combusts seemingly from within.
135
00:06:33,145 --> 00:06:36,312
- In 1982, a woman
named jean safin
136
00:06:36,314 --> 00:06:41,334
In the uk, again, same
exact circumstances,
137
00:06:41,336 --> 00:06:42,318
Completely burned,
138
00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,612
Yet parts of her
body found intact.
139
00:06:44,614 --> 00:06:46,096
No one could understand it.
140
00:06:46,098 --> 00:06:48,841
- And a little bit more
recently, in 2010,
141
00:06:48,843 --> 00:06:51,944
An irishman named
michael faherty is found
142
00:06:51,946 --> 00:06:56,941
Completely burned and charred
to ashes on his floor.
143
00:06:56,943 --> 00:06:58,284
None of the
combustible materials
144
00:06:58,286 --> 00:07:03,531
Around him are also found burnt,
so eerily similar to mary.
145
00:07:04,125 --> 00:07:07,068
- [dan] but in mary's
case, the fbi is unwilling
146
00:07:07,070 --> 00:07:10,180
To list spontaneous
human combustion
147
00:07:10,182 --> 00:07:12,390
As the official cause of death.
148
00:07:12,392 --> 00:07:15,568
What they come up with
isn't any less strange.
149
00:07:15,570 --> 00:07:18,571
- So the belief is
that mary succumbed
150
00:07:18,573 --> 00:07:21,357
To something known
as the wick effect.
151
00:07:21,359 --> 00:07:24,294
- In essence, the body
is an inside out candle.
152
00:07:24,296 --> 00:07:27,813
The clothing is the
wick that catches flame,
153
00:07:27,815 --> 00:07:31,534
But the combustible
hydrocarbons found in human fat
154
00:07:31,536 --> 00:07:33,703
Literally serve
to fuel the fire.
155
00:07:33,705 --> 00:07:37,156
- Because she's an overweight
woman that was also a smoker,
156
00:07:37,158 --> 00:07:41,060
The fbi suggests that the
cigarette burns her nightgown,
157
00:07:41,062 --> 00:07:42,745
Which causes her
to go up in flame,
158
00:07:42,747 --> 00:07:44,930
Because she's a heavier
woman, that leads
159
00:07:44,932 --> 00:07:46,816
To the fire continuing to burn
160
00:07:46,818 --> 00:07:48,576
For a longer period of time.
161
00:07:48,578 --> 00:07:51,254
- [dan] not everyone
accepts this answer.
162
00:07:51,256 --> 00:07:53,906
- There are lots of
problems with this theory.
163
00:07:53,908 --> 00:07:56,684
The first of which is that
millions of people fall asleep
164
00:07:56,686 --> 00:08:01,356
With lit cigarettes and they
don't usually end up cremated.
165
00:08:02,233 --> 00:08:03,958
- So people are thinking,
166
00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,861
Why would you not wake up if
you are currently on fire?
167
00:08:07,863 --> 00:08:11,407
- Even with sedatives, there's
still a great likelihood
168
00:08:11,409 --> 00:08:14,744
That a person would
start thrashing around.
169
00:08:14,746 --> 00:08:17,037
Spontaneous human combustion,
170
00:08:17,039 --> 00:08:20,249
It's the last place
investigators want to go,
171
00:08:20,251 --> 00:08:22,268
But sometimes they're
forced to go there
172
00:08:22,270 --> 00:08:25,213
In the absence of any
other explanations.
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00:08:27,709 --> 00:08:30,634
- I think it's a damn
strange world. (laughing)
174
00:08:30,636 --> 00:08:32,362
I never take anything
off the table
175
00:08:32,364 --> 00:08:34,221
Until we're absolutely certain.
176
00:08:34,223 --> 00:08:35,298
(dramatic music)
177
00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:36,646
- The forensic anthropologist
hired by the fbi
178
00:08:36,726 --> 00:08:38,217
- The forensic anthropologist
hired by the fbi
179
00:08:38,219 --> 00:08:39,719
Has this to say.
180
00:08:39,721 --> 00:08:42,062
"were I living in
the middle ages,
181
00:08:42,064 --> 00:08:44,857
I'd mutter something
about black magic."
182
00:08:48,246 --> 00:08:49,495
- We all know the feeling.
183
00:08:49,497 --> 00:08:51,664
You leave the house only to
realize you forgot your wallet
184
00:08:51,666 --> 00:08:52,982
Or your keys or your phone.
185
00:08:52,984 --> 00:08:55,826
Now imagine for a moment
you've just jumped out
186
00:08:55,828 --> 00:08:58,170
Of an airplane and
realize what you forgot
187
00:08:58,172 --> 00:09:01,624
To bring is something
much more vital.
188
00:09:02,352 --> 00:09:05,086
(tense music)
189
00:09:06,714 --> 00:09:08,423
- Ivan mcguire,
adrenaline junkie.
190
00:09:08,425 --> 00:09:12,835
Avid skydiver, this guy
loves to jump out of planes.
191
00:09:12,837 --> 00:09:14,487
(plane whirring)
192
00:09:14,489 --> 00:09:16,680
- Nowadays, you see
people with gopros
193
00:09:16,682 --> 00:09:19,183
And phones attached
to their helmets.
194
00:09:19,185 --> 00:09:20,435
It's a pretty standard thing
195
00:09:20,437 --> 00:09:23,079
To see this aerial view and
this angle of jumping out
196
00:09:23,081 --> 00:09:24,188
Of a plane, but it's something
197
00:09:24,190 --> 00:09:26,682
That we didn't really
see back in 1988,
198
00:09:26,684 --> 00:09:29,319
But ivan mcguire
wanted to capture that.
199
00:09:30,739 --> 00:09:33,781
He's done more than 800 skydives
200
00:09:33,783 --> 00:09:36,709
And he has this dream
of showing the world
201
00:09:36,711 --> 00:09:38,953
What he sees when
he leaves the plane.
202
00:09:42,274 --> 00:09:44,625
- [dan] on April 4th, 1988,
203
00:09:44,627 --> 00:09:47,670
Ivan mounts a brand
new, 8mm video camera
204
00:09:47,672 --> 00:09:53,000
To his helmet and is ready
for his third jump of the day.
205
00:09:53,002 --> 00:09:53,876
- This is the 1980s,
206
00:09:53,878 --> 00:09:56,553
So these cameras are
still pretty large.
207
00:09:56,555 --> 00:09:57,530
They're pretty bulky,
208
00:09:57,532 --> 00:09:58,714
Certainly compared to
what we know today.
209
00:09:58,716 --> 00:10:00,599
There's gonna be a
lot of force of wind
210
00:10:00,601 --> 00:10:01,576
And so forth, so this has
211
00:10:01,578 --> 00:10:04,637
To be really carefully
attached to the helmet.
212
00:10:04,639 --> 00:10:07,290
- He takes the entire
plane right up there
213
00:10:07,292 --> 00:10:10,634
To check the camera, wipe
the lens to make sure
214
00:10:10,636 --> 00:10:12,912
That he's gonna get
the perfect shot.
215
00:10:13,731 --> 00:10:16,682
- [dan] warning, the
footage you are about to see
216
00:10:16,684 --> 00:10:17,900
May be unsettling.
217
00:10:17,902 --> 00:10:20,678
- The two tandem jumpers
give him the thumbs up.
218
00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:24,624
So ivan seizes the moment
and leaps from the plane.
219
00:10:27,094 --> 00:10:29,020
They're plummeting
through the air.
220
00:10:29,022 --> 00:10:31,013
The tandem guys
pull their parachute
221
00:10:31,015 --> 00:10:33,758
And boom, it's the perfect shot.
222
00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:36,252
Now, it's time for
ivan's money shot,
223
00:10:36,254 --> 00:10:38,754
The pov of him falling silently
224
00:10:38,756 --> 00:10:40,907
Through the north carolina sky.
225
00:10:41,500 --> 00:10:45,511
- But he goes to deploy
his own parachute
226
00:10:45,513 --> 00:10:47,313
And there's nothing there.
227
00:10:49,167 --> 00:10:52,126
- Ivan has forgotten
his own parachute.
228
00:10:52,128 --> 00:10:54,537
- His total free fall
was about 30 seconds
229
00:10:54,539 --> 00:10:56,672
At 150 miles per hour,
230
00:10:56,674 --> 00:11:00,034
And he fell more than
10,000 feet from the air.
231
00:11:01,479 --> 00:11:04,138
- [dan] ivan does
not survive the fall,
232
00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:06,632
But miraculously,
his camera does.
233
00:11:06,634 --> 00:11:09,693
- Investigators surmised
that ivan's preoccupation
234
00:11:09,695 --> 00:11:12,522
With his video camera
caused him to forget
235
00:11:12,524 --> 00:11:14,290
To shoulder his own parachute.
236
00:11:14,292 --> 00:11:18,494
And so ironically, he ends
up filming his own death.
237
00:11:18,496 --> 00:11:22,873
Reason 1,000 why I am never
jumping out of an airplane.
238
00:11:22,875 --> 00:11:25,058
- [dan] ivan isn't
the only daredevil
239
00:11:25,060 --> 00:11:26,619
Who needed a good parachute.
240
00:11:26,621 --> 00:11:31,073
An even more infamous case
took place 80 years earlier.
241
00:11:31,075 --> 00:11:35,561
Here, friends, is the sad
case of the flying tailor.
242
00:11:36,548 --> 00:11:41,117
- Frantz reichelt is an
austrian tailor living in paris.
243
00:11:41,119 --> 00:11:42,668
He makes dresses for a living,
244
00:11:42,670 --> 00:11:47,172
But his real passion is this
new budding field of flying.
245
00:11:47,174 --> 00:11:49,249
(tense music)
246
00:11:49,251 --> 00:11:51,360
- It's the early
20th century, 1903,
247
00:11:51,362 --> 00:11:54,129
The wright brothers take
their first heavier than air
248
00:11:54,131 --> 00:11:56,632
Powered flight, brave new world
249
00:11:56,634 --> 00:11:58,860
And everyone is aviation crazy,
250
00:11:58,862 --> 00:12:00,503
Especially the french,
251
00:12:00,505 --> 00:12:03,606
'cause the french also
invented the hot air balloon.
252
00:12:03,608 --> 00:12:07,292
- In 1910, flying is
extremely dangerous.
253
00:12:07,294 --> 00:12:10,529
He sees all of these pilots
dying in these test flights,
254
00:12:10,531 --> 00:12:12,982
So he wants to do
something to help out.
255
00:12:13,835 --> 00:12:15,150
And up until this time,
256
00:12:15,152 --> 00:12:17,945
Parachuting technology
has really only been used
257
00:12:17,947 --> 00:12:21,357
For jumping out of balloons
and very high altitudes.
258
00:12:21,359 --> 00:12:25,077
So there's this push to find
new parachute technology,
259
00:12:25,079 --> 00:12:28,380
Much lighter weight for
pilots themselves to be able
260
00:12:28,382 --> 00:12:32,134
To jump out at lower altitudes
when they're taking these
261
00:12:32,136 --> 00:12:33,794
Test flights around the country.
262
00:12:33,796 --> 00:12:36,613
- [dan] coincidentally, a
french aviation organization
263
00:12:36,615 --> 00:12:37,906
Offers a hefty prize
264
00:12:37,908 --> 00:12:40,826
To anyone who can
create a smaller chute.
265
00:12:40,828 --> 00:12:43,462
- So frantz decides
to enter this contest
266
00:12:43,464 --> 00:12:47,883
And take his expertise as
a tailor, sewing dresses
267
00:12:47,885 --> 00:12:51,037
And garments using
silk and rods,
268
00:12:51,039 --> 00:12:54,673
And he ends up
developing a wingsuit.
269
00:12:54,675 --> 00:12:56,067
- It looks like a batman suit.
270
00:12:56,069 --> 00:13:00,913
It looks like something out of
a futuristic superhero movie.
271
00:13:00,915 --> 00:13:02,431
- [dan] more peculiar
than his design
272
00:13:02,433 --> 00:13:04,382
Is his method for testing it.
273
00:13:04,384 --> 00:13:07,486
He puts it on a dummy and
tosses it from the window
274
00:13:07,488 --> 00:13:10,264
Of his fifth floor
paris apartment.
275
00:13:11,250 --> 00:13:14,101
- I don't really understand
how he was allowed to do this,
276
00:13:14,103 --> 00:13:17,229
That there were just dummies
landing on the streets of paris
277
00:13:17,231 --> 00:13:19,398
And nobody had any
complaints about this.
278
00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,300
- [dan] unsatisfied
with the results,
279
00:13:21,302 --> 00:13:23,469
Frantz decides there
is only one way
280
00:13:23,471 --> 00:13:26,030
To truly test this wingsuit.
281
00:13:26,032 --> 00:13:28,040
(suspenseful music)
282
00:13:28,042 --> 00:13:29,267
- He puts on his own wingsuit
283
00:13:29,269 --> 00:13:32,186
And climbs out of his
fifth floor window.
284
00:13:34,023 --> 00:13:35,764
And he breaks his leg.
285
00:13:35,766 --> 00:13:37,416
- But frantz is onto something.
286
00:13:37,418 --> 00:13:39,101
He goes, ah ha, ha ha.
287
00:13:39,103 --> 00:13:42,195
I didn't give my
wingsuit enough time
288
00:13:42,197 --> 00:13:45,624
To gather enough air
to create resistance.
289
00:13:45,626 --> 00:13:47,610
I need to go higher.
290
00:13:47,612 --> 00:13:48,844
Luckily, he's in paris
291
00:13:48,846 --> 00:13:50,946
And at this point in time,
the tallest structure
292
00:13:50,948 --> 00:13:53,583
On earth is the eiffel tower.
293
00:13:54,234 --> 00:13:57,803
- He starts petitioning the
paris police to allow him
294
00:13:57,805 --> 00:14:01,440
To throw winged dummies
off of the eiffel tower
295
00:14:01,442 --> 00:14:04,551
As part of a test
for his new suit.
296
00:14:04,553 --> 00:14:07,162
- [dan] surprisingly, not only
do the french authorities
297
00:14:07,164 --> 00:14:10,783
Grant permission, but it
becomes a huge press event.
298
00:14:10,785 --> 00:14:14,653
- Frantz is so excited to
show the world this wingsuit.
299
00:14:14,655 --> 00:14:17,306
He puts out a press release
to announce to the world
300
00:14:17,308 --> 00:14:21,551
That he has found the
solution of aviation safety.
301
00:14:21,553 --> 00:14:25,281
- [dan] on the cold morning
of February 4th, 1912,
302
00:14:25,283 --> 00:14:29,452
Frantz arrives at the
eiffel tower sans dummy.
303
00:14:29,454 --> 00:14:33,639
- It's frantz himself
dressed in his wingsuit
304
00:14:33,641 --> 00:14:35,007
And everyone goes,
where's the dummy?
305
00:14:35,009 --> 00:14:37,401
And he goes, there is no dummy.
306
00:14:37,403 --> 00:14:39,928
- [dan] from this moment
on, frantz reichelt
307
00:14:39,930 --> 00:14:42,881
Becomes known as
the flying tailor.
308
00:14:42,883 --> 00:14:44,333
- His friends are
pleading with him,
309
00:14:44,335 --> 00:14:46,152
"you're not gonna
do this, are you?
310
00:14:46,154 --> 00:14:48,345
You're not gonna actually
do this yourself."
311
00:14:48,347 --> 00:14:50,990
But frantz is convinced
the suit will work
312
00:14:50,992 --> 00:14:52,666
And he's gonna prove it.
313
00:14:52,668 --> 00:14:55,870
- [austin] frantz is
leaning forward on the edge
314
00:14:55,872 --> 00:14:58,356
Of the parapet of
the eiffel tower.
315
00:14:59,983 --> 00:15:01,859
- He hesitates for
about 40 seconds.
316
00:15:01,861 --> 00:15:03,586
He seems to actually
have second thoughts
317
00:15:03,588 --> 00:15:05,571
For the first time
in this story,
318
00:15:06,540 --> 00:15:09,467
But then frantz sees the
crowd below him and he waves
319
00:15:09,469 --> 00:15:11,727
And he says, "� bient�,"
320
00:15:11,729 --> 00:15:13,996
Which means, "I'll
see you soon."
321
00:15:15,183 --> 00:15:16,666
And then he jumps.
322
00:15:20,955 --> 00:15:24,022
- [dan] the parachute
never fully opens.
323
00:15:24,458 --> 00:15:28,394
Two seconds after jumping,
frantz hits the ground
324
00:15:28,396 --> 00:15:31,038
And dies, leaving
a six inch deep
325
00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,707
Frantz shaped imprint
in the ground.
326
00:15:33,709 --> 00:15:35,083
- What's particularly sad
327
00:15:35,085 --> 00:15:38,645
And ironic about this entire
story is that just two days
328
00:15:38,647 --> 00:15:42,208
Before frantz parachuted
to his death,
329
00:15:42,210 --> 00:15:44,468
An american named rodman law
330
00:15:44,470 --> 00:15:47,195
Had successfully
parachuted off the top
331
00:15:47,197 --> 00:15:49,456
Of the torch of the
statue of liberty,
332
00:15:49,458 --> 00:15:52,051
Which he just did
on a whim for fun.
333
00:15:52,053 --> 00:15:53,569
- There's part of
me that looks at him
334
00:15:53,571 --> 00:15:57,181
And thinks this
is classic hubris.
335
00:15:57,183 --> 00:16:00,175
This is pride goes before
the fall, literally.
336
00:16:00,670 --> 00:16:02,712
And at the same time, this
is the genius of madness.
337
00:16:02,714 --> 00:16:03,834
And at the same time, this
is the genius of madness.
338
00:16:03,914 --> 00:16:05,489
When it works, we
celebrate those people
339
00:16:05,491 --> 00:16:07,049
Who are willing to
push through as heroes,
340
00:16:07,051 --> 00:16:08,718
And when it fails,
it's very easy
341
00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:10,936
To dismiss them as being crazy.
342
00:16:10,938 --> 00:16:14,790
- [dan] sometimes, there's
no way to know if it works
343
00:16:14,792 --> 00:16:16,392
Until it doesn't.
344
00:16:18,646 --> 00:16:20,128
- What do an argentinian poodle
345
00:16:20,130 --> 00:16:22,856
And a world renowned 19th
century amputation surgeon
346
00:16:22,858 --> 00:16:23,782
Have in common?
347
00:16:23,784 --> 00:16:26,919
The answer is as tragic
as it is bizarre.
348
00:16:26,921 --> 00:16:31,073
Cachi the poodle's story
begins fittingly high up,
349
00:16:31,075 --> 00:16:34,276
On an apartment building's
unluckiest floor.
350
00:16:34,278 --> 00:16:36,704
(eerie music)
351
00:16:38,249 --> 00:16:41,767
- In buenos aires in
1988, the montoya family
352
00:16:41,769 --> 00:16:43,860
Has this apartment
on the 13th floor.
353
00:16:43,862 --> 00:16:47,214
Their son is playing with
the pet poodle, cachi.
354
00:16:47,216 --> 00:16:49,875
- And the son throws the
ball towards the open door
355
00:16:49,877 --> 00:16:54,013
To the balcony and the dog
goes bounding after it.
356
00:16:55,065 --> 00:16:57,600
- As it is getting closer
and closer to this balcony,
357
00:16:57,602 --> 00:17:00,144
The dog tries to stop.
358
00:17:00,938 --> 00:17:03,797
The dog does not.
359
00:17:03,799 --> 00:17:05,048
(dramatic music)
360
00:17:05,050 --> 00:17:10,312
This story saddens me so much
more than any human tragedy.
361
00:17:11,114 --> 00:17:15,159
- Cachi falls the 13 floors,
which is heartbreaking
362
00:17:15,161 --> 00:17:17,094
If you are an animal lover.
363
00:17:17,096 --> 00:17:21,039
At that very moment, a 75 year
old woman named marta espina,
364
00:17:21,041 --> 00:17:22,658
She's walking around
her neighborhood
365
00:17:22,660 --> 00:17:25,044
Doing some shopping and
then all of a sudden-
366
00:17:25,046 --> 00:17:26,212
(claps)
367
00:17:26,214 --> 00:17:31,575
- Cachi falls directly onto the
head of marta, they both die.
368
00:17:31,577 --> 00:17:35,337
- The impact constitutes
essentially a blunt force trauma
369
00:17:35,339 --> 00:17:36,663
To the head.
370
00:17:36,665 --> 00:17:38,557
(sirens blaring)
371
00:17:38,559 --> 00:17:42,328
- [dan] but the tragic chain
of events doesn't end here.
372
00:17:42,330 --> 00:17:44,863
- Another woman named
edith is across the street,
373
00:17:44,865 --> 00:17:46,148
Happens to see this.
374
00:17:46,150 --> 00:17:49,368
Immediately, her good
samaritan intent kicks in,
375
00:17:49,370 --> 00:17:52,387
She jumps up to run across the
street to check on this woman.
376
00:17:52,389 --> 00:17:53,614
- And she...
377
00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:57,493
(claps) gets hit by a bus.
378
00:17:58,496 --> 00:18:00,295
So now you have
cachi the poodle,
379
00:18:00,297 --> 00:18:02,498
You have marta, you have edith.
380
00:18:03,501 --> 00:18:05,717
- There is a third person, a man
381
00:18:05,719 --> 00:18:07,670
Who apparently has just
come outta the pharmacy
382
00:18:07,672 --> 00:18:10,756
With his prescription,
sees all of this play out.
383
00:18:10,758 --> 00:18:12,199
- It's too much for him to take.
384
00:18:12,201 --> 00:18:15,443
- He has a heart attack and
he dies there on the spot.
385
00:18:15,445 --> 00:18:20,123
The fourth casualty of cachi
the poodle's game of fetch.
386
00:18:20,125 --> 00:18:24,186
- [dan] cachi, a legend,
an unbelievable killer dog.
387
00:18:24,188 --> 00:18:27,398
His odd death toll
should be unrivaled,
388
00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,999
But consider the case
389
00:18:29,001 --> 00:18:31,777
Of one of the 19th
century's top surgeons,
390
00:18:32,563 --> 00:18:34,471
Dr. Robert liston.
391
00:18:34,473 --> 00:18:39,326
- Robert liston is
a surgical phenom.
392
00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:42,496
- He's one of the most
respected surgeons in london.
393
00:18:42,498 --> 00:18:44,623
At 14, he's already
practicing medicine
394
00:18:44,625 --> 00:18:48,693
And at 22, he's teaching in the
medical college at edinburgh.
395
00:18:48,695 --> 00:18:50,595
- [dan] he quickly
comes to master
396
00:18:50,597 --> 00:18:54,866
A very specific type of
surgery, amputations.
397
00:18:54,868 --> 00:18:58,253
- If someone has an infected
or otherwise wounded limb
398
00:18:58,255 --> 00:19:00,556
Or a broken bone
that cannot be set,
399
00:19:00,558 --> 00:19:02,849
The sole practice of medicine
400
00:19:02,851 --> 00:19:05,252
At this time is amputation.
401
00:19:05,254 --> 00:19:09,081
- Moreover, there is no
such thing as anesthetic.
402
00:19:09,083 --> 00:19:11,358
If you're in surgery,
you are awake
403
00:19:11,360 --> 00:19:15,103
As you endure this
unbelievable amount of pain.
404
00:19:15,105 --> 00:19:19,091
- In an age where there's
no anesthesia, speed counts.
405
00:19:19,093 --> 00:19:20,576
Liston prides
himself in being able
406
00:19:20,578 --> 00:19:24,947
To conduct amputations faster
and cleaner than anyone else,
407
00:19:24,949 --> 00:19:26,265
And the statistics bear him out.
408
00:19:26,267 --> 00:19:30,352
Where most surgeons at the
time have a 25% mortality rate,
409
00:19:30,354 --> 00:19:32,362
He only has a 15%
mortality rate.
410
00:19:32,364 --> 00:19:34,440
You are in better hands
with robert liston
411
00:19:34,442 --> 00:19:36,608
Than with anyone else in london.
412
00:19:36,610 --> 00:19:39,570
- [dan] his swiftness earns
him an impressive nickname.
413
00:19:39,572 --> 00:19:43,349
- He's known as "the fastest
knife on the west end."
414
00:19:43,351 --> 00:19:46,551
- He would argue he's the
fastest knife in the world.
415
00:19:46,553 --> 00:19:47,936
(tense music)
416
00:19:47,938 --> 00:19:51,398
- Liston is a very large man.
417
00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:52,899
He's built like a bull.
418
00:19:52,901 --> 00:19:55,627
Other surgeons
require at least two
419
00:19:55,629 --> 00:20:00,240
Or three assistants to hold
down a struggling patient.
420
00:20:00,242 --> 00:20:03,059
Liston requires
only one assistant.
421
00:20:03,061 --> 00:20:06,413
He takes his knife,
holds it in his teeth,
422
00:20:06,415 --> 00:20:10,960
Fastens down the tourniquet
above the point of amputation,
423
00:20:10,962 --> 00:20:12,402
Removes the knife,
424
00:20:12,404 --> 00:20:15,481
Holding the patient down,
along with the assistant.
425
00:20:15,483 --> 00:20:18,425
(cracking)
(tense music)
426
00:20:18,427 --> 00:20:20,219
Severs the limb.
427
00:20:20,221 --> 00:20:23,805
As brutal as it
sounds to us today,
428
00:20:23,807 --> 00:20:28,994
If you are in such a situation,
liston is the surgeon
429
00:20:28,996 --> 00:20:31,029
To whom you want to go.
430
00:20:31,031 --> 00:20:33,348
- [yohuru] liston becomes
very full of himself
431
00:20:33,350 --> 00:20:34,500
And his prowess.
432
00:20:34,502 --> 00:20:36,685
- He is a showboat, he is cocky.
433
00:20:36,687 --> 00:20:38,670
- He loves to call out
to the medical students,
434
00:20:38,672 --> 00:20:40,196
"time me, gentlemen."
435
00:20:40,198 --> 00:20:42,265
And it becomes in some
sense, his catchphrase,
436
00:20:42,267 --> 00:20:44,359
- [dan] hubris and haste,
437
00:20:44,361 --> 00:20:47,012
A dangerous combination
for a surgeon
438
00:20:47,014 --> 00:20:49,381
And one that leads to
an infamous moment.
439
00:20:49,383 --> 00:20:53,702
Liston is performing an
amputation in a medical theater.
440
00:20:53,704 --> 00:20:55,779
- He might as well have
walked in like a boxer,
441
00:20:55,781 --> 00:20:56,955
Taken his robe off.
442
00:20:56,957 --> 00:20:59,282
- In his typical manner,
he turns to the crowd
443
00:20:59,284 --> 00:21:01,117
And says to them,
"time me, gentleman."
444
00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:03,052
- "gentleman, time me".
445
00:21:03,054 --> 00:21:05,313
(intense music)
446
00:21:05,908 --> 00:21:09,134
Dr. Liston cuts off the limb
of the patient so quickly
447
00:21:09,136 --> 00:21:13,213
That he also severs the fingers
of his surgical assistant
448
00:21:13,215 --> 00:21:15,649
Who is holding down
the screaming patient.
449
00:21:16,443 --> 00:21:19,061
- Now, liston
recognizes his mistake
450
00:21:19,063 --> 00:21:23,065
And immediately draws the knife
back as quickly as possible.
451
00:21:23,067 --> 00:21:25,266
- He winds up
cutting the garments
452
00:21:25,268 --> 00:21:27,636
Of an elderly medical colleague
453
00:21:27,638 --> 00:21:31,481
Who is standing behind him
observing the procedure.
454
00:21:31,483 --> 00:21:33,709
The colleague is so
shocked and frightened
455
00:21:33,711 --> 00:21:36,628
That he drops dead
from a heart attack.
456
00:21:36,630 --> 00:21:39,715
- Liston's assistant, who had
two of his fingers removed,
457
00:21:39,717 --> 00:21:41,658
Died later on from infection.
458
00:21:41,660 --> 00:21:45,178
And the patient who
had his leg amputated
459
00:21:45,180 --> 00:21:48,407
Also ended up dying
from infection.
460
00:21:48,409 --> 00:21:51,334
So at the end of this
surgical display of prowess,
461
00:21:51,336 --> 00:21:55,831
Dr. Robert liston, the fastest
knife in the west end,
462
00:21:55,833 --> 00:21:57,866
Kills not one, not two,
463
00:21:57,868 --> 00:22:02,237
But three separate people of
infection, infection and shock.
464
00:22:02,239 --> 00:22:05,023
One surgery, three fatalities.
465
00:22:05,025 --> 00:22:06,825
Take that, argentinian poodle.
466
00:22:09,013 --> 00:22:11,446
- Now technically speaking,
if you look at the math here
467
00:22:11,448 --> 00:22:15,434
And count cachi himself, the
poodle one upped dr. Liston.
468
00:22:15,436 --> 00:22:18,462
The good doctor must be
turning over in his grave.
469
00:22:19,773 --> 00:22:23,225
There are some sports that
are so inherently dangerous,
470
00:22:23,227 --> 00:22:26,862
An occasional death
doesn't come as a shock.
471
00:22:26,864 --> 00:22:29,706
Take mixed martial arts,
formula 1 racing,
472
00:22:29,708 --> 00:22:33,001
Perhaps running with
the bulls at pamplona.
473
00:22:33,003 --> 00:22:35,437
But tennis?
474
00:22:36,823 --> 00:22:39,558
- Honestly, most
injuries in tennis
475
00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:41,143
Happen from watching gameplay,
476
00:22:41,145 --> 00:22:44,663
Just watching the ball go from
right to left on the court.
477
00:22:44,665 --> 00:22:47,007
- [dan] but what happens
to dick wertheim
478
00:22:47,009 --> 00:22:49,242
Is truly one for the books.
479
00:22:49,244 --> 00:22:51,011
- Dick wertheim is a
lifelong tennis person.
480
00:22:51,013 --> 00:22:52,937
He's played, he's
been a linesman.
481
00:22:52,939 --> 00:22:55,240
It's not exactly what
you would consider
482
00:22:55,242 --> 00:22:58,310
To be a dangerous line of work.
483
00:22:58,312 --> 00:22:59,944
Being a ball boy could be argued
484
00:22:59,946 --> 00:23:02,405
As more dangerous than
being a linesman in tennis.
485
00:23:02,407 --> 00:23:04,849
(dramatic music)
486
00:23:04,851 --> 00:23:07,076
- [dan] on September 10th, 1983,
487
00:23:07,078 --> 00:23:11,173
Wertheim is officiating the us
open junior boys title match
488
00:23:11,175 --> 00:23:14,076
Between a young stefan
edberg of sweden
489
00:23:14,078 --> 00:23:16,528
And simon youl of australia.
490
00:23:16,530 --> 00:23:18,438
- Stefan edberg
goes on to become
491
00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,365
One of the greatest players
492
00:23:20,367 --> 00:23:22,151
Of his generation,
once winning wimbledon
493
00:23:22,153 --> 00:23:25,762
And twice winning the
aussie and us open.
494
00:23:25,764 --> 00:23:27,847
- The way they
officiated back then,
495
00:23:27,849 --> 00:23:31,534
Dick wertheim is at the end
line, right in the center.
496
00:23:31,536 --> 00:23:34,196
- Stefan edberg being
a fantastic player.
497
00:23:34,198 --> 00:23:36,523
- Serves this tennis ball
498
00:23:36,525 --> 00:23:39,692
And just whips it
115 miles an hour.
499
00:23:39,694 --> 00:23:43,038
- That ball hits the
court, takes a weird spin
500
00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:46,224
And goes straight at dick
501
00:23:46,226 --> 00:23:47,859
And winds up hitting him.
502
00:23:47,861 --> 00:23:49,953
- Directly in the groin.
503
00:23:49,955 --> 00:23:51,463
(crowd gasping)
504
00:23:51,465 --> 00:23:54,807
- With such force that
it forces wertheim
505
00:23:54,809 --> 00:23:57,769
Straight backwards,
his head hits the court
506
00:23:57,771 --> 00:23:59,521
And he's immediately
unconscious.
507
00:23:59,523 --> 00:24:02,399
- Dick is rushed to
flushing hospital
508
00:24:02,401 --> 00:24:06,987
Where he dies five days
later of a subdural hematoma.
509
00:24:08,156 --> 00:24:10,339
(dramatic music)
510
00:24:10,341 --> 00:24:12,150
- Immediately
after this happens,
511
00:24:12,152 --> 00:24:14,069
The international
tennis federation
512
00:24:14,071 --> 00:24:18,081
Stops having linesmen sit on
the court in the same fashion
513
00:24:18,083 --> 00:24:20,024
That dick wertheim was.
514
00:24:20,026 --> 00:24:22,586
So this will likely
never happen again.
515
00:24:24,239 --> 00:24:27,156
- Luckily, the only
other loss that day
516
00:24:27,158 --> 00:24:30,569
Is suffered by stefan's
opponent simon youl,
517
00:24:30,571 --> 00:24:31,920
Who is defeated
in straight sets.
518
00:24:31,922 --> 00:24:36,624
6-2, 6... Nevermind,
not important.
519
00:24:36,626 --> 00:24:40,311
Next, a death that could
give even dick wertheim
520
00:24:40,313 --> 00:24:41,855
A run for his money.
521
00:24:44,460 --> 00:24:45,901
- Frank hayes, born in 1901,
522
00:24:45,903 --> 00:24:48,270
He grows up in ireland
and it is his dream
523
00:24:48,272 --> 00:24:51,456
To become a world
champion jockey.
524
00:24:51,458 --> 00:24:54,743
- [dan] although frank believes
he is born to be a jockey,
525
00:24:54,745 --> 00:24:56,695
His genetics beg to differ.
526
00:24:57,222 --> 00:25:02,483
He weighs 142 pounds, much
heavier than most jockeys.
527
00:25:03,120 --> 00:25:04,819
- Frank hayes moves
to new york city.
528
00:25:04,821 --> 00:25:06,696
He still loves horses
and he still wants
529
00:25:06,698 --> 00:25:08,715
To be around this
sport in some way,
530
00:25:08,717 --> 00:25:11,943
But he's still a little bit
too large to be a jockey.
531
00:25:11,945 --> 00:25:14,613
- So he has to reset and
he has to start somewhere.
532
00:25:14,615 --> 00:25:18,183
So he starts working as a
trainer for race horses.
533
00:25:19,620 --> 00:25:20,769
- But imagine you're frank hayes
534
00:25:20,771 --> 00:25:23,046
And you grew up
wanting to be a jockey
535
00:25:23,048 --> 00:25:24,656
And you're working
as a stable hand.
536
00:25:24,658 --> 00:25:26,566
You're doing all of the grunt
work, you're getting none
537
00:25:26,568 --> 00:25:30,395
Of the glory and you're
watching these jockeys
538
00:25:30,397 --> 00:25:33,598
Win these races
and it's as close
539
00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:35,700
As you can possibly get to it
540
00:25:35,702 --> 00:25:38,120
Without actually
tasting that victory.
541
00:25:39,706 --> 00:25:41,582
- [dan] then, fate
steps in when the owner
542
00:25:41,584 --> 00:25:46,211
Of a horse named sweet kiss
finds himself without a jockey.
543
00:25:47,572 --> 00:25:49,489
- The owner says, "listen,
544
00:25:49,491 --> 00:25:52,350
If you can lose 10
pounds somehow in a day,
545
00:25:52,352 --> 00:25:53,685
Then you can ride this horse."
546
00:25:53,687 --> 00:25:55,487
Now, frankly, I'm
not sure if the owner
547
00:25:55,489 --> 00:25:57,605
Expected him to
be able to do it.
548
00:25:57,607 --> 00:26:00,200
- Frank is fired up.
549
00:26:00,202 --> 00:26:02,585
He is ready to do whatever
it takes to make sure
550
00:26:02,587 --> 00:26:04,479
That he can get on
the back of sweet kiss
551
00:26:04,481 --> 00:26:06,089
And ride this horse to victory.
552
00:26:06,091 --> 00:26:10,101
So over the next 24 hours,
we are going full rocky,
553
00:26:10,103 --> 00:26:13,029
Rocky iv, 1980s montage.
554
00:26:13,031 --> 00:26:15,106
We are talking
about shadow boxing.
555
00:26:15,108 --> 00:26:18,176
We're talking about running,
fasting, not drinking water,
556
00:26:18,178 --> 00:26:21,905
Losing as much weight,
sweating, doing whatever he can
557
00:26:21,907 --> 00:26:23,790
To drop as much
weight as possible.
558
00:26:24,701 --> 00:26:26,335
- The next day
when he weighs in,
559
00:26:26,337 --> 00:26:28,211
He actually loses 12 pounds.
560
00:26:28,213 --> 00:26:30,446
It's about 8.5 percent
of his body weight.
561
00:26:30,448 --> 00:26:33,616
This sort of rapid weight loss
is really taxing on the body
562
00:26:33,618 --> 00:26:36,027
Because it taxes
your immune system,
563
00:26:36,029 --> 00:26:38,638
Your kidneys, and your heart.
564
00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:40,891
- [dan] but it's all worth
it when a thrilled hayes
565
00:26:40,893 --> 00:26:43,185
Suits up for his debut race.
566
00:26:43,187 --> 00:26:45,561
- So the horse that
frank hayes is riding,
567
00:26:45,563 --> 00:26:49,441
Sweet kiss, enters as
a 20 to 1 underdog.
568
00:26:49,443 --> 00:26:51,818
The far and away
favorite in this race
569
00:26:51,820 --> 00:26:52,961
Is a horse named gimmy
570
00:26:52,963 --> 00:26:56,657
Who was expected to just
run away with this race.
571
00:26:56,659 --> 00:26:59,551
- And sweet kiss takes
off like a bat outta hell
572
00:26:59,553 --> 00:27:00,476
With frank on top.
573
00:27:00,478 --> 00:27:02,070
- And hayes is doing
everything he can
574
00:27:02,072 --> 00:27:04,147
To get this horse into
the lead and he starts
575
00:27:04,149 --> 00:27:06,375
To bound away, he's
starting to pull it off.
576
00:27:06,377 --> 00:27:08,076
He's starting to gain length
577
00:27:08,078 --> 00:27:09,961
Ahead of all the
rest of the field.
578
00:27:09,963 --> 00:27:10,937
Can he do it?
579
00:27:10,939 --> 00:27:12,439
- Frank is living the dream
580
00:27:12,441 --> 00:27:15,717
And he slumps forward at
one point during the race.
581
00:27:15,719 --> 00:27:18,220
Seems weird, but the horse
just kind of kicks it
582
00:27:18,222 --> 00:27:19,571
Into higher gear.
583
00:27:19,573 --> 00:27:21,998
- [announcer] in the home
stretch, it's all over,
584
00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:23,441
But the statistics.
585
00:27:23,443 --> 00:27:26,077
- He crosses the finish line
in this hunched position.
586
00:27:26,079 --> 00:27:27,579
- He has won the race.
587
00:27:27,581 --> 00:27:28,730
Frank hayes has done it.
588
00:27:28,732 --> 00:27:32,024
He has achieved his dream
of being a champion jockey.
589
00:27:32,026 --> 00:27:34,677
- [dan] instead of raising
his arms to celebrate,
590
00:27:34,679 --> 00:27:36,880
Frank is oddly still.
591
00:27:36,882 --> 00:27:39,090
- The owner comes
rushing over to him,
592
00:27:39,092 --> 00:27:42,777
Ecstatic with this
completely long shot victory.
593
00:27:42,779 --> 00:27:44,779
- And as he's about
to congratulate him,
594
00:27:44,781 --> 00:27:47,098
Frank hayes falls
off the saddle,
595
00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:49,458
Face first into the racetrack.
596
00:27:49,460 --> 00:27:52,437
- As it turns out, frank
has had a heart attack.
597
00:27:53,031 --> 00:27:56,633
He died before crossing
the finish line.
598
00:27:57,961 --> 00:28:02,264
Frank hayes becomes the only
person in horse racing history
599
00:28:02,266 --> 00:28:05,141
To ever ride across the
finish line of a race
600
00:28:05,143 --> 00:28:07,210
And win as a dead man.
601
00:28:07,988 --> 00:28:10,713
- [dan] as for the horse,
he never races again,
602
00:28:10,715 --> 00:28:14,884
Earning the unofficial nickname,
"sweet kiss of death."
603
00:28:15,796 --> 00:28:18,571
- Frank ends up getting
buried at holy cross cemetery
604
00:28:18,573 --> 00:28:21,466
In brooklyn, wearing
the very jockey uniform
605
00:28:21,468 --> 00:28:23,985
That he was wearing when
he crossed the finish line
606
00:28:23,987 --> 00:28:25,820
And won this race at belmont.
607
00:28:25,822 --> 00:28:26,337
He very literally died a winner.
608
00:28:26,731 --> 00:28:28,011
He very literally died a winner.
609
00:28:31,828 --> 00:28:34,496
- Dead jockey wins at belmont.
610
00:28:34,498 --> 00:28:37,966
Now, that's a funny headline
you don't read every day.
611
00:28:37,968 --> 00:28:40,427
But is it funny
enough to kill you?
612
00:28:42,664 --> 00:28:45,015
- The 1970s are a great
era for sketch comedy,
613
00:28:45,017 --> 00:28:46,324
I should know.
614
00:28:46,326 --> 00:28:50,878
But has a bit ever been so
funny it has literally killed?
615
00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,023
(tense music)
616
00:28:54,034 --> 00:28:56,100
- It's March 24th, 1975.
617
00:28:56,102 --> 00:28:59,787
Alex mitchell, 50 year old
bricklayer from norfolk, England
618
00:28:59,789 --> 00:29:03,258
Sits down and watches favorite
tv program, "the goodies".
619
00:29:03,260 --> 00:29:05,910
- [dan] the goodies
are very big in britain
620
00:29:05,912 --> 00:29:06,703
At the time.
621
00:29:06,705 --> 00:29:09,747
Your classic, broad
humored comedy trio.
622
00:29:09,749 --> 00:29:12,976
- Alex mitchell watches
the show religiously.
623
00:29:12,978 --> 00:29:17,188
That night, the episode
is "kung fu capers".
624
00:29:17,190 --> 00:29:20,692
- The height of it being
a kilt clad scotsman
625
00:29:20,694 --> 00:29:23,695
With his bagpipe
battling another opponent
626
00:29:23,697 --> 00:29:25,972
Armed with a black pudding.
627
00:29:25,974 --> 00:29:28,466
- I assume this
was funny in 1975.
628
00:29:28,468 --> 00:29:30,101
- You know who
thought it was funny?
629
00:29:30,103 --> 00:29:31,353
Alex thought it was funny.
630
00:29:32,146 --> 00:29:37,492
- Mr. Mitchell begins to laugh
and it increases in volume
631
00:29:37,494 --> 00:29:39,961
And it increases in ferocity.
632
00:29:40,614 --> 00:29:44,232
- He begins to laugh
uncontrollably to the point
633
00:29:44,234 --> 00:29:47,318
That he is literally
urinating in his pants.
634
00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:51,331
He cannot control his
bowels, all systems are go.
635
00:29:52,676 --> 00:29:54,025
- [dan] after a
full three minutes,
636
00:29:54,027 --> 00:29:57,254
His blood pressure has doubled,
his abdominals tighten.
637
00:29:57,989 --> 00:30:00,990
(tense music)
(clock ticking)
638
00:30:00,992 --> 00:30:03,251
- He's laughing uncontrollably
for six minutes
639
00:30:03,253 --> 00:30:07,305
And that six minutes then
extends into 15 minutes.
640
00:30:07,307 --> 00:30:09,491
- It gets more and
more convulsive.
641
00:30:09,493 --> 00:30:12,251
He's grasping at his
chest both for air
642
00:30:12,253 --> 00:30:15,772
And the pain in his
accelerating heartbeat.
643
00:30:18,585 --> 00:30:22,361
- He's laughing so hard that
it's taxing his respiratory
644
00:30:22,363 --> 00:30:24,281
And circulatory system
645
00:30:25,409 --> 00:30:27,609
And he has a
massive heart attack
646
00:30:27,611 --> 00:30:31,446
And dies, coronary
due to laughter.
647
00:30:31,448 --> 00:30:33,765
They say that laughter
is the best medicine.
648
00:30:33,767 --> 00:30:35,792
I think alex overdosed on it.
649
00:30:36,878 --> 00:30:39,362
- [dan] now, we all know
laughter can be contagious,
650
00:30:39,364 --> 00:30:43,032
But did you know that
dancing can be too?
651
00:30:43,034 --> 00:30:44,718
(tense music)
652
00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:47,645
- In the summer of 1518,
653
00:30:47,647 --> 00:30:50,206
A dance craze sweeps
through the town
654
00:30:50,208 --> 00:30:53,934
Of strasbourg, France,
but it's not a dance
655
00:30:53,936 --> 00:30:57,288
That people are
actually choosing to do.
656
00:30:57,290 --> 00:30:58,790
You have people convulsing,
657
00:30:58,792 --> 00:31:01,392
Flailing around,
tripping over themselves,
658
00:31:01,394 --> 00:31:04,629
Dancing in the street
until their feet bleed.
659
00:31:04,631 --> 00:31:08,325
- [dan] it all starts
one hot July day
660
00:31:08,985 --> 00:31:11,994
When a woman catches what
will come to be known
661
00:31:11,996 --> 00:31:14,331
As the dancing bug.
662
00:31:16,609 --> 00:31:20,295
- A housewife walks into the
square and begins to dance.
663
00:31:22,107 --> 00:31:24,015
- But it's not like
normal dancing.
664
00:31:24,017 --> 00:31:25,416
(tense music)
665
00:31:25,418 --> 00:31:27,743
She starts to gyrate
and gesticulate.
666
00:31:27,745 --> 00:31:31,747
She can't be dissuaded
from this frantic dancing.
667
00:31:31,749 --> 00:31:33,641
- There's no music.
668
00:31:33,643 --> 00:31:34,976
- No accompaniment.
669
00:31:36,580 --> 00:31:39,439
- And a crowd begins
to gather around her.
670
00:31:40,633 --> 00:31:42,983
What is this strange spectacle?
671
00:31:42,985 --> 00:31:46,704
- And for some reason,
this becomes infectious.
672
00:31:46,706 --> 00:31:49,207
- [dan] soon, roughly
30 other dancers
673
00:31:49,209 --> 00:31:52,627
Join in the incessant dance-off.
674
00:31:52,629 --> 00:31:54,095
- Each passing day,
675
00:31:54,097 --> 00:31:58,549
More and more townspeople
begin to gyrate,
676
00:31:58,551 --> 00:32:02,128
Shake out in the
streets to the point
677
00:32:02,130 --> 00:32:04,255
Where their feet are bloody.
678
00:32:05,141 --> 00:32:08,193
Their bodies are
racked with pain
679
00:32:08,195 --> 00:32:09,260
And yet they keep going
680
00:32:09,262 --> 00:32:12,230
Through these same
hysterical motions.
681
00:32:12,232 --> 00:32:15,558
- [yohuru] there are 30, 40
people dancing along with her.
682
00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:19,562
- Then, it grows to
anywhere up to 400.
683
00:32:20,849 --> 00:32:22,399
The town is now in crisis.
684
00:32:22,401 --> 00:32:25,627
A substantial
population is engaged
685
00:32:25,629 --> 00:32:29,330
In this agonizing
dance marathon.
686
00:32:29,332 --> 00:32:30,915
Their limbs are getting bloody.
687
00:32:30,917 --> 00:32:33,951
They are falling and
collapsing of exhaustion.
688
00:32:33,953 --> 00:32:36,162
- A person would
dance, drop dead,
689
00:32:36,164 --> 00:32:40,091
And people would continue
to dance around them.
690
00:32:40,093 --> 00:32:42,501
- They assume about 15 people
691
00:32:42,503 --> 00:32:46,005
A week actually die
from the dancing plague.
692
00:32:46,007 --> 00:32:47,932
- [dan] eager to
end the dancing,
693
00:32:47,934 --> 00:32:49,843
Officials finally take action.
694
00:32:49,845 --> 00:32:52,603
Their idea, more dancing.
695
00:32:52,605 --> 00:32:53,788
- They add fuel to the fire.
696
00:32:53,790 --> 00:32:57,925
They hire musicians to dance
the so-called hot blood
697
00:32:57,927 --> 00:33:02,380
Out of the afflicted dancers.
698
00:33:02,382 --> 00:33:03,506
It doesn't work.
699
00:33:04,233 --> 00:33:06,434
- With the weeks passing
and deaths mounting,
700
00:33:06,436 --> 00:33:10,096
The city decides it is time
to crack down on sin.
701
00:33:10,098 --> 00:33:12,090
Immediately, all of
the gambling houses
702
00:33:12,092 --> 00:33:14,075
And brothels are shut down.
703
00:33:14,077 --> 00:33:17,603
They even try making dancing
illegal, a la "footloose",
704
00:33:17,605 --> 00:33:19,530
But none of this works.
705
00:33:19,532 --> 00:33:23,951
Eventually, they turn to
a healing shrine nearby.
706
00:33:23,953 --> 00:33:25,544
(tense music)
707
00:33:25,546 --> 00:33:28,547
- They lead some of
these hundreds of dancers
708
00:33:28,549 --> 00:33:29,698
To the healing shrine
709
00:33:29,700 --> 00:33:32,868
Where the afflicted
are given red slippers,
710
00:33:32,870 --> 00:33:35,646
Anointed with holy water.
711
00:33:35,648 --> 00:33:38,283
- And it works,
believe it or not,
712
00:33:38,285 --> 00:33:40,635
As a result of this effort
to kind of remove them
713
00:33:40,637 --> 00:33:43,988
To st. Vitus' church
and these red shoes,
714
00:33:43,990 --> 00:33:46,423
The dancing eventually subsides.
715
00:33:46,425 --> 00:33:50,611
- The dancing plague
of 1518 is possibly
716
00:33:50,613 --> 00:33:52,980
The most bizarre
case of mass hysteria
717
00:33:52,982 --> 00:33:54,632
That's ever been reported.
718
00:33:54,634 --> 00:33:56,317
There is sickness
in the village,
719
00:33:56,319 --> 00:33:58,285
There is plague, leprosy.
720
00:33:58,287 --> 00:33:59,287
There is plague, leprosy.
721
00:33:59,489 --> 00:34:03,407
People might feel anxious
about their survival,
722
00:34:03,409 --> 00:34:05,251
But would that in and of itself
723
00:34:05,253 --> 00:34:08,980
Be enough to generate this
kind of mass hysteria?
724
00:34:08,982 --> 00:34:11,800
- [dan] well, we know
it wasn't the music.
725
00:34:13,970 --> 00:34:15,603
- Throughout history,
many people have come
726
00:34:15,605 --> 00:34:19,324
To an unfortunate end due
to an excess of alcohol,
727
00:34:19,326 --> 00:34:22,601
But never in an incident
quite as bizarre
728
00:34:22,603 --> 00:34:26,714
As what happened in
london 200 years ago.
729
00:34:26,716 --> 00:34:28,399
(tense music)
730
00:34:28,401 --> 00:34:31,969
- In 19th century london,
there's a veritable arms race
731
00:34:31,971 --> 00:34:35,281
For who can produce the
most and the best beer.
732
00:34:35,283 --> 00:34:38,042
The winner at the time
is the horseshoe brewery,
733
00:34:38,044 --> 00:34:40,578
In the slums of st. Giles.
734
00:34:41,781 --> 00:34:43,781
- The horseshoe
brewery is producing
735
00:34:43,783 --> 00:34:45,691
Large amounts of porter.
736
00:34:45,693 --> 00:34:48,652
- 103,000 barrels a year.
737
00:34:48,654 --> 00:34:52,556
Imagine, if you will,
hundred thousand gallon,
738
00:34:52,558 --> 00:34:57,387
Wooden vats held
together with iron bands.
739
00:34:57,389 --> 00:35:01,598
A worker wanders by one
of the vats one day
740
00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:04,735
And he says, "ah, a ring
slipped down a little bit,"
741
00:35:04,737 --> 00:35:06,186
And he tells his boss
742
00:35:06,188 --> 00:35:10,024
And his boss goes, "oh yeah,
that happens. That happens."
743
00:35:10,818 --> 00:35:13,636
- The iron hoop
actually buckles,
744
00:35:13,638 --> 00:35:16,238
Releasing gas in the tank.
745
00:35:16,240 --> 00:35:19,658
- And a massive explosion
746
00:35:19,660 --> 00:35:22,920
And a chain reaction
occurs where one vat pops
747
00:35:22,922 --> 00:35:26,374
And then it pops these
subsequent other vats.
748
00:35:27,076 --> 00:35:29,560
- As a result, st. Giles rookery
749
00:35:29,562 --> 00:35:32,672
Will now be the site of
a 15 foot tidal wave,
750
00:35:33,483 --> 00:35:36,467
388,000 gallons of porter beer,
751
00:35:36,469 --> 00:35:39,345
Which comes rushing out
of the horseshoe brewery.
752
00:35:39,347 --> 00:35:41,272
- [dan] no matter how
much you like beer,
753
00:35:41,274 --> 00:35:42,773
Let's face it,
754
00:35:42,775 --> 00:35:45,326
A 15 foot wave of the
stuff is terrifying.
755
00:35:45,328 --> 00:35:48,279
- Because it's essentially
a slum, st. Giles rookery
756
00:35:48,281 --> 00:35:49,521
Is so overcrowded.
757
00:35:49,523 --> 00:35:51,615
There are a lot of people living
2 and 3 families to a home.
758
00:35:51,617 --> 00:35:53,876
People living in
basements and we have
759
00:35:53,878 --> 00:35:56,571
A deadly flood of hot beer.
760
00:35:57,540 --> 00:36:01,809
- Mary banfield is having
tea with her daughter
761
00:36:01,811 --> 00:36:03,912
In one of these basements.
762
00:36:03,914 --> 00:36:07,207
The flood fills it
from the bottom up
763
00:36:08,134 --> 00:36:11,436
And mary is able
to swim to escape,
764
00:36:11,438 --> 00:36:13,630
But her daughter is not.
765
00:36:15,257 --> 00:36:20,486
Notoriously at this time,
there is a irish wake happening
766
00:36:20,488 --> 00:36:23,431
And this party is
absolutely devastated
767
00:36:23,433 --> 00:36:27,985
By a 45 mile an hour
deluge of porter.
768
00:36:27,987 --> 00:36:30,805
- When all's said and done
at the end of the day,
769
00:36:30,807 --> 00:36:32,457
More than eight people are dead.
770
00:36:32,459 --> 00:36:34,825
And that's not even accounting
for the hundreds of people
771
00:36:34,827 --> 00:36:36,903
That ended up injured
from this whole thing.
772
00:36:36,905 --> 00:36:39,071
- [dan] that doesn't
stop hoards of people
773
00:36:39,073 --> 00:36:40,073
Swarming the streets
774
00:36:40,075 --> 00:36:44,152
To score free beer,
no matter the risk.
775
00:36:44,154 --> 00:36:45,686
- We do have a great
deal of illness
776
00:36:45,688 --> 00:36:49,081
Because as you can imagine,
scooping beer out of the gutters
777
00:36:49,083 --> 00:36:51,292
That are full of
human waste and debris
778
00:36:51,294 --> 00:36:54,295
And horse excrement doesn't
make for a good drink.
779
00:36:54,297 --> 00:36:57,715
- It seems kind of like a
street party, except yuck.
780
00:36:57,717 --> 00:36:59,925
And there's actually an
unsubstantiated story
781
00:36:59,927 --> 00:37:04,097
That one of the men dies
from alcohol poisoning.
782
00:37:06,042 --> 00:37:07,916
- [dan] over 100 years later,
783
00:37:07,918 --> 00:37:11,187
An even weirder flood takes
an american city by storm.
784
00:37:13,399 --> 00:37:15,149
- We're in boston in 1919
785
00:37:15,151 --> 00:37:17,568
And we've got history
repeating itself
786
00:37:17,570 --> 00:37:20,421
In an eerily similar fashion.
787
00:37:21,198 --> 00:37:24,450
- Martin clopherty is in
his room taking a nap.
788
00:37:24,452 --> 00:37:27,412
His family is downstairs
enjoying a meal.
789
00:37:29,015 --> 00:37:31,715
- And he's awakened by
the rumbling noise.
790
00:37:31,717 --> 00:37:34,718
- [dan] before he can
call out to his family,
791
00:37:34,720 --> 00:37:37,004
An explosion rocks
the neighborhood.
792
00:37:37,006 --> 00:37:40,341
- Martin is flung
forcefully from his bed,
793
00:37:40,343 --> 00:37:44,721
Through his window
and lands outside.
794
00:37:50,811 --> 00:37:52,662
- Just imagine you wake up,
795
00:37:52,664 --> 00:37:54,889
You're now in the street
in front of your house,
796
00:37:54,891 --> 00:37:59,735
Surrounded by a sea of black
and sticky tar like substance.
797
00:37:59,737 --> 00:38:01,495
Maybe you're still dreaming.
798
00:38:02,132 --> 00:38:03,898
Maybe it's a nightmare
you'll wake up from.
799
00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,016
You put your fingers
down to taste.
800
00:38:06,018 --> 00:38:07,810
It's not tar.
801
00:38:07,812 --> 00:38:09,253
- [dan] it's molasses.
802
00:38:09,255 --> 00:38:12,723
So odd that martin
can't quite believe it.
803
00:38:12,725 --> 00:38:15,242
- Everybody's accounted
for except for his mother.
804
00:38:15,244 --> 00:38:17,085
He sees her through the window.
805
00:38:17,087 --> 00:38:19,747
Covered head to toe
now in molasses,
806
00:38:19,749 --> 00:38:21,740
He realizes he
can't lift his feet.
807
00:38:21,742 --> 00:38:24,001
- He's trying desperately
to try to get to her,
808
00:38:24,003 --> 00:38:27,572
But the more he moves,
the more stuck he gets.
809
00:38:27,574 --> 00:38:30,558
- He sees the house
collapse, leaving his mother
810
00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:33,770
As one of the casualties
of the molasses flood.
811
00:38:33,772 --> 00:38:37,281
- [dan] so just how did
this syrupy swamp start?
812
00:38:37,283 --> 00:38:41,318
- It happens that
martin's home is adjacent
813
00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:45,490
To an enormous molasses
distillery plant.
814
00:38:46,759 --> 00:38:49,460
- [dan] yep, the same
molasses grandma put
815
00:38:49,462 --> 00:38:53,247
In her gingerbread cookies
also creates disasters.
816
00:38:54,333 --> 00:38:54,957
This one starts
817
00:38:54,959 --> 00:38:57,067
With unseasonably warm
weather in January.
818
00:38:57,069 --> 00:39:00,154
When the temperatures
reach a high of 40 degrees,
819
00:39:00,156 --> 00:39:01,547
The distillery doesn't turn down
820
00:39:01,549 --> 00:39:05,050
The furnaces used to keep
the molasses from freezing.
821
00:39:05,052 --> 00:39:08,387
- The molasses heats
up precipitously.
822
00:39:08,389 --> 00:39:09,880
It begins to expand.
823
00:39:09,882 --> 00:39:14,285
It begins to buckle the
enormous holding vat.
824
00:39:14,287 --> 00:39:17,271
- [dan] then, cracks start
forming in the tanks.
825
00:39:17,273 --> 00:39:19,941
- The company doesn't
fix the problem,
826
00:39:19,943 --> 00:39:22,384
They just paint over it
with brown paint, thinking,
827
00:39:22,386 --> 00:39:27,331
Oh, no one will notice,
which is shady as can be.
828
00:39:27,333 --> 00:39:29,634
(dramatic music)
829
00:39:29,636 --> 00:39:31,460
(rupture booming)
830
00:39:31,462 --> 00:39:33,746
- When this vat
ruptures and bursts,
831
00:39:33,748 --> 00:39:38,376
The molasses is completely
fluid and it's moving fast.
832
00:39:39,979 --> 00:39:43,338
- And then, it's a mad
rush to try to survive.
833
00:39:43,933 --> 00:39:46,567
- A public works employee
is repairing the streets
834
00:39:46,569 --> 00:39:47,518
With cobblestones.
835
00:39:47,520 --> 00:39:49,803
This huge flood comes
down the street.
836
00:39:49,805 --> 00:39:52,089
It knocks him 20
feet into a pile
837
00:39:52,091 --> 00:39:56,602
Of unforgiving granite cobble
stones and cracks his skull.
838
00:39:58,264 --> 00:40:00,923
- [dan] he may have
survived if not for the fact
839
00:40:00,925 --> 00:40:04,368
That as molasses cools,
it becomes thicker.
840
00:40:04,370 --> 00:40:06,353
- The molasses begins to harden.
841
00:40:06,355 --> 00:40:12,293
So like bugs in amber, you
have whole humans encased.
842
00:40:12,295 --> 00:40:17,515
Anybody who's trapped
within this vast blob
843
00:40:17,517 --> 00:40:19,958
Is smothered to death.
844
00:40:19,960 --> 00:40:22,720
- It's slow enough
that if you're in it,
845
00:40:22,722 --> 00:40:27,024
You're aware of what's going
on as it's all ending.
846
00:40:27,026 --> 00:40:28,058
Awful.
847
00:40:28,060 --> 00:40:29,694
(tense music)
848
00:40:29,696 --> 00:40:33,263
- [dan] the tidal wave of
molasses devastates the city.
849
00:40:33,265 --> 00:40:37,084
- Streetcars,
livestock, vehicles,
850
00:40:37,086 --> 00:40:39,903
Commercial buildings
are covered.
851
00:40:39,905 --> 00:40:41,189
- They're trying to
scrape the molasses.
852
00:40:41,191 --> 00:40:42,814
They're trying to
dissolve the molasses.
853
00:40:42,816 --> 00:40:44,733
They're adding sand
to the situation
854
00:40:44,735 --> 00:40:46,460
So something grippy can grab
855
00:40:46,462 --> 00:40:48,746
Some of that
molasses stickiness.
856
00:40:48,748 --> 00:40:49,672
- [dan] after four days,
857
00:40:49,674 --> 00:40:52,066
Rescuers stop searching
for survivors.
858
00:40:52,068 --> 00:40:54,393
Many of the dead are so
covered with molasses
859
00:40:54,395 --> 00:40:58,664
That they are unrecognizable
to their families.
860
00:40:58,666 --> 00:41:00,090
- There are 21 deaths
861
00:41:00,092 --> 00:41:03,010
Attributed to the
great molasses flood.
862
00:41:03,012 --> 00:41:05,037
- Not all victims of
the molasses flood
863
00:41:05,039 --> 00:41:06,655
Are buried in the molasses.
864
00:41:06,657 --> 00:41:10,092
Some are actually washed
right out to boston harbor,
865
00:41:10,094 --> 00:41:12,253
As they're now
encased in molasses
866
00:41:12,255 --> 00:41:13,921
And sunk under the water.
867
00:41:13,923 --> 00:41:16,832
Some of them are not found
until three or four months
868
00:41:16,834 --> 00:41:20,411
After the fact when their
bodies begin to float
869
00:41:20,413 --> 00:41:22,413
Up to the top of the harbor.
870
00:41:22,415 --> 00:41:25,941
- Bostonians report for
years and years later,
871
00:41:25,943 --> 00:41:28,010
The smell of molasses
permeating the area
872
00:41:28,012 --> 00:41:30,854
And public fixtures like
lampposts and public telephones
873
00:41:30,856 --> 00:41:35,575
And the elevated railways
still being sticky to the touch
874
00:41:35,577 --> 00:41:37,161
Years down the road.
875
00:41:38,522 --> 00:41:41,957
- Most of us hope our deaths
will be fairly uneventful,
876
00:41:41,959 --> 00:41:47,045
But for those facing a speeding
tennis ball, a flying poodle,
877
00:41:47,047 --> 00:41:51,609
Or a funny tv show,
the end came in ways
878
00:41:51,611 --> 00:41:54,220
That are truly unbelievable.
879
00:41:54,300 --> 00:41:56,300
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00:41:56,350 --> 00:42:00,900
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