Darwin Award
Spit contest ends with deadly fall: "OTTAWA -- A Carleton University engineering student participating in a spitting contest with friends plunged 11 floors off a downtown highrise to his death late Saturday night. Ameer 'AJ' Jinah was celebrating his 20th birthday in his apartment with about a dozen friends when the accident happened about 11 p.m.

Police said it appears Jinah took a running start to try to spit farther than his two friends when he unintentionally vaulted himself over the balcony railing.

'It was purely accidental,' said Ottawa police Sgt. Joe Simpson. 'Momentum carried him beyond.'

Police said alcohol was being consumed at the party.

'STARTED SCREAMING'

Apartment building security guard Jason Armstrong who was working Saturday night said he heard a thud and immediately knew something was wrong.

'Two ladies came in and started screaming for me to call 911,' said Armstrong, adding a group of about eight of Jinah's friends rushed to his side.

Armstrong, who had known Jinah for about eight months, said he was surprised to learn the circumstances surrounding his death.

'He was one of the smartest, most polite guys I ever met in my life,' he said. 'I think he was one of the classiest guys. He had a maturity beyond his age.'"
- posted by Sophont @ Saturday, March 13, 2004