Ran myself over...
I bought a used VW convertible. I got many more miles out of it than I should have and it was a lot of fun, even if, being the 3-speed automatic version, it was a bit underpowered. However, one issue it had was that when it was still hot from being driven, it wouldn't start. To alleviate this, I added a relay to the solenoid to make sure it was getting as much voltage as possible. This helped but there were still times it wouldn't start. There was quite a complex circuit involved in starting that made it difficult to diagnose so I ended up just adding a wire to the relay. When the car wouldn't start, I'd open the bonnet, touch the wire to the battery, it'd fire right up and I'd be on my way.

So one lunchtime, I've nipped out for a bite to eat. Sated, I jump in the car. No startee. So I jump out, lift the bonnet grab the wire and touch it to the battery. Only the complex circuitry wasn't not starting the car because there was a problem, the complex circuitry was not starting the car because I left it in drive. Before I know it, the car has started and lurched forward, pinning my legs against the car parked in front of it. Being an automatic, it doesn't stall but continues to force the back of my legs to become intimately acquainted with a stranger's car.

Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to grab the plug leads and pull (lord knows what I would have done if it was a diesel). I quickly ascertain that there's no damage to the other car, replace the plug leads, limp back in to my car, put it in neutral and it fires right up.

OK, nowhere near death but I like to tell it.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 2:15, 7 replies)

hahah
i tryed to kill an engine with taking the leads off, but the plug cap was worn and fucking shock me
(pancakes_n_ham, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 6:22, closed)

The trick is...
To grab and pull between the sparks ;)

The leads were clean and it was very dry so no shocks. Another trick would be to pull the leads from the distributor and not the plugs so that you're not holding the leads while there's pulses going to them and nowhere for them to go.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 16:11, closed)

Gah
I know a horrible story about something similar.

A guy was behind the car with his kid waving at mummy driving away, when she accidentally put the car in reverse and pinned him against the car behind. He had the presence of mind to lift the child up as quickly as he could, but he lost both legs and the kid lost his foot. Absolutely horrifying for all involved.

They're divorced now.
( morrybyte made a subtle namechange at, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 9:29, closed)

still at least it wasnt a beetle
*hopes*
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 10:37, closed)

No. a Cabriolet
I think it was called a Golf in the UK tho.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 16:05, closed)

Beetle
I thought it was a beetle and was thinking "but the engine's in the back?!?!"
(Dairy Air, Wed 18 Feb 2009, 14:20, closed)

Nicely told
You get a click for the use of the word "sated". It's way under-used.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 17:03, closed)