Germany: 1 killed, 5 injured as dare goes awry

Firefighters try to set up a mechanical digger on a field near Isselburg, western Germany Tuesday. German authorities say a man was killed and several others were injured when the digger tipped over and hit them during a so-called Cod Water Challenge, a dare that has been spreading on Facebook.

BERLIN  — German authorities say a man was killed and five others injured when a mechanical digger tipped over and hit them during a so-called Cold Water Challenge, a dare that has been spreading on Facebook.

Prosecutors said today 11 members of a bowling club in Isselburg, on the Dutch border, had filled the digger’s shovel with 528 gallons of water, which was to be poured over them.

However, as the shovel was lifted into the air, the digger tipped over and the shovel hit six of the men. Four of the injured were taken to hospitals following the accident late Tuesday.

In the U.S., several people have been injured participating in Cold Water Challenges, which typically involve dares such as jumping into cold water.