Planking: Aussieland's New National Pastime (Scourge?)

Flash

http://www.watoday.com.au/national/plan ... 1entn.html

A man has plunged to his death after "planking" on a seventh-storey balcony in Brisbane's inner-south this morning, police have confirmed.

Acton Beale, aged 20, fell from the balcony of a unit block on Main Street in Kangaroo Point shortly before 4.30am.

He was trying to lay face down on the balcony railing of his apartment when he suddenly fell.

Paramedics spent 20 minutes trying to revive Mr Beale at the scene, however, he died a short time later.

Planking, which involves somebody lying flat on their stomach in unusual or different environments, is a burgeoning internet craze that has attracted thousands of fans right across Australia.

Photographs of their exploits are usually shared through social media sites such as Facebook.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ross Barnett today said his worst fears about planking had been realised.

“This morning we have seen a young man take this activity a step further and attempt to plank on a balcony. Unfortunately he has tragically fallen to his death,” he said.

Mr Barnett said the 20-year-old and another person had been out during the night and had been planking in various spots on their way home.

"He has tragically lost his footing and fallen to the ground below," he said.

"It is what we've been fearing."

Mr Barnett warned people against taking unnecessary risks in a bid to out-do each other for the ultimate photograph.

“Accepting a risk of injury for yourself is one thing, but the potential is there for others to be injured as a result of your behaviour,’’ he said.

Earlier this week, a man was charged in Gladstone for trespassing on police property when he "planked" across the back of a police car.

"If other people break the law during this activity they will be charged as well," Mr Barnett said.

“But no penalty will ever return this young man to his family and friends.

‘‘This is a tragedy and our condolences go to the family.”

People have already condemned the internet craze on Facebook following the man’s death.

‘‘One life has been lost because of this! Think of what could happen if it went wrong. Don't be stupid ... think before you do this!’’ one person wrote.

Investigations are continuing.

You're doing it wrong.

I heard this started in the US. I only discovered it today, my friends friend had pics all over facebook of him planking random things.

It apparently did as "playing dead" but Aussieland decided to add these rules about having to point your fingers and toes. Plus the whole placing it on things where you wouldn't/couldn't "play dead" like pillars and news desks.

Fun stuff. Just don't be stupid to get urself killed or injured. If anyone from our forum did this and posted here, I wonder wut the reaction's gonna be.

"A new craze stiffening their bodies..."

The dude that died won't have to worry about that part anymore.
If they put him in the coffin face down, he''ll be planking forever.

I'd never heard of this until today either. Whatever makes you and your mates chuckle, I guess.

This hasn't died out yet?

Dwight and Arenas:


Other celebs including FLAVA FLAVVVV:
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-05 ... ction-site

And of course:
http://sexyplanking.com/

Planking or otherwise, I'm sure there are more photos in the world of people miming sexual acts with those statues than there are family friendly moments of the kids at McDonalds.

http://topcultured.com/behind-the-burge ... -mcdonald/

Definitive proof right there. Also, inspiration for a horror film:

Speaking of Dwight and planking he tweeted this picture of Vince Carter doing it:

phpBB [video]

Alright, that was pretty good.

Tom Green wins, evidently

phpBB [video]

Makes sense that something stupid would come from Tom Green.

The question is, will that bring the craze to a screeching halt?

That was really a failure.

I don't like planking but that was a dick move.

Hahaha. Nice one. Love it when something like that happens. It's always a good stuff as long as the victim plays it cool.

As for Tom Green, who said Canadian doesn't know how to have fun?