German Man Killed During Cold Water Challenge

Editor's note: While this incident does not involve firefighters, we wanted to inform our readers about this tragedy. Many of you have been involved with the "cold water challenge" to benefit various fire service organizations. The "Fire Challenge" is another popular social media stunt that has left several injured.

BERLIN (AP) — 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 Wednesday 11 members of a bowling club in Isselburg, on the Dutch border, had filled the digger's shovel with 2000 liters (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.