Probable Urban Myth Question

[JimT]

Have you heard this story, or something like it, before. I heard it when I was at school in the early 80s. Supposedly, a motorbiker had an accident and staggered into a pub in Sutton to seek help. They noticed a trickle of blood from under his helmet, so helped him to the floor and eased his helmet off - whereupon his head fell apart like a Terry's Chocolate Orange because the helmet had been holding it together.

I'm assuming it's an urban myth, started in order to make the point about what to do and not do in cases of head trauma. But as urban myths seem to pop up everywhere I wondered if anyone had heard this one or a version of it.

I hope it is a myth. Apart from not wanting someone to have met this demise (I'm assuming that with a fallen-apart head he'd have died) a friend I told it to laughed so much, HE nearly died. Years later, all I have to do is say "Apparently this bloke staggered into a pub in Sutton..." and he cracks up. I did it the other day and he laughed his drink out through his nostrils. I'd hate to think he was so amused by something that actually happened.

[viv41]

I'm no expert, but it sounds improbable to me. How could his head fall apart if held securely by a crash helmet ?

[Baldric]

helped him to the floor and eased his helmet off - whereupon his head fell apart

[stuey]

That reminds me of the time when I was working with a friend on a construction site, and a stack of heavy fire-doors fell onto his foot. After we had removed the pile, he took his boot off and his foot immediately ballooned up to around twice the normal size...That's when he passed out.

[Arksided]

Not sure if it is an Urban myth I had heard a similar story, that due to his skull being shattered once his helmet was removed his head collapsed on itself. Early Eighties only just a teen so didn't sleep too well for a bit after hearing it.

[EDDIE51]

Myth, injuries that serious would have left the rider unconscious, no way could he have walked into a pub.

[HansUrbancka]

I recall a story about a chap who had a new motor-bike and invited a mate to have a pillion ride. After a few miles the mate sad "My god it's draughty back here".... The Owner of the motor-bike then suggested that his mate put his coat on back-to-front and pull the collar up; as army dispatch riders were known to do .....However, it seems that the pillion rider fell off and the motor-cycle owner turned back and came across a small crowd who were surrounding his mate; along with a local policeman. ...He enquired if his mate was alright....to which the policeman replied..."He appeared alright until I turned his head around the right way".