General Discussion

marmar

(79,797 posts) Wed Dec 18, 2013, 12:03 PM Dec 2013

Tourist distracted by Facebook falls off pier [View all]

SYDNEY (AP) — A tourist in Australia had to be rescued by police after plunging off a pier while browsing Facebook on her phone, officials said Wednesday.

The woman was walking along a bay in Melbourne on Monday night when she became distracted by her Facebook feed and plummeted off the pier into the chilly water, Victoria state police said.

A witness called for help and police rushed to the woman's aid. They found her flailing around in the water, about 20 meters (65 feet) from the pier.

"She was still out in the water lying on her back in a floating position because she told us later that she couldn't swim," Senior Constable Dean Kelly of the state water police told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "She still had her mobile phone in her hand and initially she apologized and said sorry." ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20131218/as--travel-brief-australia-facebook-fall/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage

181 replies

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Highlight:

Tourist distracted by Facebook falls off pier [View all] marmar Dec 2013 OP

Whew! Saved the phone. tanyev Dec 2013 #1

We don't have sabertooth tigers anymore to weed out the slow and stupid. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #2

First belly laugh of the day tavernier Dec 2013 #91

she couldn't help it - her head was in the cloud wordpix Dec 2013 #164

^== DUZY! IdaBriggs Dec 2013 #169

This story is no good without video :D Aerows Dec 2013 #3

I didn't want to laugh at that one. I really didn't. Iggo Dec 2013 #8

I'm going to have to ask for a link XemaSab Dec 2013 #13

Here... Agschmid Dec 2013 #19

Classic XemaSab Dec 2013 #22

Oh wow... SidDithers Dec 2013 #35

lmao, she was looking at her phone as she walked out of the pool wordpix Dec 2013 #163

LOL Mr Dixon Dec 2013 #21

And the dumb-ass who almost walked into a bear: arcane1 Dec 2013 #52

Holy cow Aerows Dec 2013 #60

We always knew you were a raccoon-teur pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #69

This kind of thing will keep happening. HappyMe Dec 2013 #4

Probably took a selfie on the way down. marmar Dec 2013 #6

LOL! HappyMe Dec 2013 #7

... quinnox Dec 2013 #65

And her selfie made a big splash on Instagram pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #81

Facebook automatically waterlogged her out immediately afterwards (n/t) klook Dec 2013 #94

It's just as well...it was only a three hour tour pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #154

Another victim of pier-to-pier networking. Orrex Dec 2013 #5

I've called the "bad joke police" to your home Blue_Tires Dec 2013 #9

You'll never take me alive, copper! Orrex Dec 2013 #11

it is obvious we are as-sailed Aerows Dec 2013 #37

Don't worry--I've already alerted DU's MIRTH Team. nt pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #86

Aren't frivolous alerts verboaten? countryjake Dec 2013 #88

Hang on while I put in a call to the admins to check on that... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #89

Snort? What? Are you doing quay-ludes or something? countryjake Dec 2013 #90

I mast object to yawl's making clams reef with insanduations pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #100

Bwahahahahahaha! The Pun King strikes again! countryjake Dec 2013 #101

It's an undeserved rep pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #104

Tanks... countryjake Dec 2013 #106

Yeah, this is overboard. klook Dec 2013 #136

The admins should dock your posting privileges for that one jberryhill Dec 2013 #12

That would be a declaration of open wharf-fare. Orrex Dec 2013 #14

Now you're just piling on jberryhill Dec 2013 #20

I'd have docked them Aerows Dec 2013 #24

Uh oh. I think he harbors some resentment now. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #27

I think we all need Aerows Dec 2013 #31

We need to Deep Six this thread before somebody gets hurt. BlueStreak Dec 2013 #42

I have an ocean to abandon this entire discussion Orrex Dec 2013 #45

That ship has sailed Aerows Dec 2013 #46

At this point, I'd settle for any port in a storm BlueStreak Dec 2013 #48

That's the tip of the iceberg n/t Aerows Dec 2013 #49

That's cold BlueStreak Dec 2013 #53

Indeed--me timbers are shiverin' pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #123

It was just a slip of the keyboard. KamaAina Dec 2013 #36

LMAO! Cannon understand why, though Aerows Dec 2013 #38

Despite all evidence to the contrary, he claims he is just hunky-dory pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #83

It's all water under the bridge now.....=p AverageJoe90 Dec 2013 #87

I resemble that remark. rrneck Dec 2013 #50

Skinner should trim your sails on that one, but I like the cut of your jib. nt msanthrope Dec 2013 #16

I'm knot buying it... Aerows Dec 2013 #25

That comment should buoy his spirits. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #29

I'll raise a glass of Port. Aerows Dec 2013 #32

I'll join you. I was Army, but I harbor no ill will toward the marinas. pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #70

Oh, for heaven's Sake! klook Dec 2013 #133

The dangers of posting when three sheets to the wind (n/t) klook Dec 2013 #97

Thanks for the luffs pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #98

Scuttlebutt is the anchorman on the local news station pumped this bilge for days. klook Dec 2013 #108

Must be broadcasting from the poop deck pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #109

Yes, the crews of these garbage scows are always scanning the horizon klook Dec 2013 #110

They keel me. Could they be any corsair? pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #111

That fo'csle demeanor belies a barque that's worse than their bytes klook Dec 2013 #112

What would propeller to do that? pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #113

pinboy3niner, I doff my boater in salute! klook Dec 2013 #114

Pinboy is a mast-er of the nautical pun. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #116

Canoe imagine anyone more fleet of mind klook Dec 2013 #118

Take away all the flotsam and jetsam... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #125

I guess what everybody always said about me is true--I AM a nauty boy pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #122

Careful with the flattery or I'm going to need a new capsize pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #127

I was once told, "Get thee to a punnery!" klook Dec 2013 #134

LMFAO! Aerows Dec 2013 #23

That was funny. Yavin4 Dec 2013 #40

Where the heck is Pinboy3Niner? n/t Aerows Dec 2013 #47

lol... He's studying for the Friday art quiz jberryhill Dec 2013 #54

Now you're just yankee-ing my chain pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #56

I know Aerows Dec 2013 #61

That's some craft-y embroidering pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #68

I admiral your dedicated searching! countryjake Dec 2013 #93

Thanks! I always like to put action ahead of naval-gazing. pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #99

No need to send an S-O-S, you all shorely had things well-covered pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #57

Your opinion on such Aerows Dec 2013 #67

If you're gonna keep reaching broadly and staying on this tack... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #71

Oh...that's a good one onpatrol98 Dec 2013 #103

That, was good!!! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2013 #105

What an idiot. Vashta Nerada Dec 2013 #10

"Siri --- call the Coast Guard and give them my position". JoePhilly Dec 2013 #15

She figured she was on a Facebook mission, so she told them it was... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #72

"Siri - teach me to swim." JoePhilly Dec 2013 #17

"Siri - What kind of shark is that?" JoePhilly Dec 2013 #18

lol! nt Viva_La_Revolution Dec 2013 #26

It's the great Aerows Dec 2013 #28

New Scientific Discovery! Viva_La_Revolution Dec 2013 #41

It's okay, she's on top of it pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #75

She's rockin' to & fro, groovin' in the key of Sea klook Dec 2013 #131

When that album came out they were already past their binnacle. nt pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #144

Yeah, that one only cost me a fin when I dredged it out of the record stow yarrs ago... klook Dec 2013 #170

Good point. Before Great White, Phish couldn't carry a tuna. pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #171

"Siri, how do I get the taste of suntan lotion out of my mouth?" klook Dec 2013 #135

ROFL!! pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #137

She otter be more careful in the future. klook Dec 2013 #138

Nokiadding! pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #141

The sun was setting below the verizon, klook Dec 2013 #148

She wandered into Chanteytown klook Dec 2013 #150

Her mistake was passing up the iPhone for the iYamWhatiYamPhone pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #146

Yeah, she was too Wimpy to try the iPhone klook Dec 2013 #147

Best post ever. Number23 Dec 2013 #166

"Siri - How do I stop massive hemorrhaging from the loss of an arm?" Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #55

Attach a tourniquet Aerows Dec 2013 #62

Really? Are you Siri-ous? Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #63

It was Aerows Dec 2013 #66

"Siri - am I a dumbass?" HappyMe Dec 2013 #30

Siri: "After all of the ass selfies you posted... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #82

lol! HappyMe Dec 2013 #120

Geeze, at least it wasn't a nose dive..or was it. n/t Jefferson23 Dec 2013 #33

There's no evidence that she had any background in nasal operations pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #85

That was good and I enjoyed it, lol..thanks. Jefferson23 Dec 2013 #119

Parents, never tell your texting and facebook obsessed kid to take a long walk off a short pier nt ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2013 #34

Facebook: Enabling stupidity at the speed of light BlueStreak Dec 2013 #39

Twitter, texting and instagram too. HappyMe Dec 2013 #43

"Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead!" pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #74

"...still clutching her phone" quinnox Dec 2013 #44

Never dropped the phone liberal N proud Dec 2013 #51

She was back-arrowing like crazy, unfortunately to no avail pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #58

Oh I would believe that liberal N proud Dec 2013 #59

"Siri: Control-Z! Control-Z! Control-glubglub..." (n/t) klook Dec 2013 #95

Darwin must have taken a day off malaise Dec 2013 #64

A jackass without pier pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #73

DUzy - that was Excellent malaise Dec 2013 #84

"Dr. Darwin, paging Dr. Charles Darwin..." catbyte Dec 2013 #76

Facebook is trying to kill you. TeamPooka Dec 2013 #77

Maybe they should rename it Faceplantbook pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #78

I wonder how many likes she got from posting about the incident on FB after? Locut0s Dec 2013 #79

Not so many likes--but she did catch a lot of waves pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #80

Is there no depth to which you won't sink to as-sail this poor woman? (n/t) klook Dec 2013 #92

It's well-known that pinboy has always been a little dinghy. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #115

Don't have a scow, man! pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #124

I can't fathom why everyone finds this so amusing. klook Dec 2013 #96

I can't fathom it either. It wasn't even on my sonar. I guess... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #129

Wow, these phones are so magical they float on water, I hear the next generation of RKP5637 Dec 2013 #102

Well, the phone DID come with an IRONCLAD guarantee. :) nt pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #128

Only drawback is they MONITOR all your calls. (n/t) klook Dec 2013 #132

Some people should just be required to wear a helmet and foaties at all times. nt pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #107

A metaphor for out times.... TransitJohn Dec 2013 #117

More like a semaphore... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #121

Officially my favorite DU thread. :) tridim Dec 2013 #126

THANKS, OBAMA!1!! pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #130

I think the woman was smoking while breast-feeding when she fell off the pier klook Dec 2013 #139

I was afraid enthusiasm for this thread was ebbing klook Dec 2013 #140

It's a miraculous re-berth pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #143

From the dinghy perspective, klook Dec 2013 #149

Okay I shouldn't laugh 'cause I did something similar.... whistler162 Dec 2013 #142

*gasp* WHAT ABOUT THE BRATWURST?????? tanyev Dec 2013 #151

You never sausage a spectacle pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #152

DOP(dead on pier) but they gave me another one whistler162 Dec 2013 #176

It's not every day you see someone brag about getting the wurst insurance pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #177

Frank-ly, I suspect your bratwurst story is baloney. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #155

If you have a beef you should at least state on what ground pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #156

The poster is a well-known ham. Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #157

Link? pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #159

OMG. A one-word masterpiece of a post! Arugula Latte Dec 2013 #160

I wasn't certain, butt I had a haunch you'd approve pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #162

You both should be carted away in the patty wagon for the braisin' tripe in this sub-thread, klook Dec 2013 #172

That's offal! nt pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #174

PSA: In response to all who inquired, no this is NOT the Photo Contest 'Fall' thread pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #145

Did you see the guy who almost walked into a bear? leftyladyfrommo Dec 2013 #153

Luckily, he had an escape claws pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #158

It was a Kodiak moment! klook Dec 2013 #167

It sounds like you are having ursine-ior moment pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #178

Yeah, these damn cub reporters klook Dec 2013 #179

The I-Don't-Care Bears are...unbearable pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #180

Aww, thanks for carrion! klook Dec 2013 #181

talk about obsession! chungking34 Dec 2013 #161

she couldn't swim but "She still had her mobile phone in her hand" wordpix Dec 2013 #165

Of COURSE she clung to her phone then. How else was she going to post on FB... pinboy3niner Dec 2013 #168

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2013 #173

Faceplant.com Warren DeMontague Dec 2013 #175