So tantalizingly close...

...to winning a Darwin Award, but coming up just short.

In a moment of mental lapse, Kaleb Spangler, of Bloomington, Indiana, decided to really razzle dazzle the crowd at a local party. He strapped an old football helmet to his head and lit the fuse of a fireworks show mortar shell taped to it. The spectacular blast dazzled the crowd all right and nearly blew Mr. Spangler's head off. The helmet was destroyed by the explosion and Mr. Spangler was taken to a local hospital with severe burns, lacerations and a concussion. He is expected to survive.

You may be surprised to discover that "alcohol was involved in Spangler's decision." Or probably not.