Apparently Myth Busters got this one wrong...

[Noble Dreg]

So much for peeing on a fence...redefines 'lightning rod' me thinks.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080722/tuk-man-died-urinating-on-live-rail-dba1618.html

[Cobaltblu]

Mythbusters (if my memory serves me) said peeing on a rail wasn't plausible because of the dispersal of the "fluid" from a steady stream to drops which couldn't conduct electricity up along the "path".

Of course fluids can flow in a uniform manner over long distances (I.E. the fountains in a Las Vegas casino, forgot the name).  There are a lot of variables such as "fluid" velocity which will "extend" the distance along the stream where the drops start to form.

Maybe he REALLY had to go.

I really hope the story doesn't later include a statement that he previously said it wouldn't hurt him cause he watched mythbusters.

Regards,

CB

[Tim T]

Yeah, from what I remember, they could never get a consistant stream.  After a foot or so, it broke down into droplets and then obviously didn't conduct electricity.  Who knows?

[sealion]

I must have missed that episode! LOL

[groomporter]

Also isn't there a lot more current going through the live rail of an electric train compared to an electric fence?

[Elennare]

Did he get electrocuted through the stream of urine, or was there a puddle on the ground or something?  Gross, I know, but seems equaly possible (and maybe even more likely) to me.

[PurpleDragon]

A man was killed at a busy railway station when he reportedly urinated on the track.

British Transport Police confirmed the 41-year-old was electrocuted at Vauxhall station in south London last week.

He walked on to the track from Platform 1, a BTP spokesman said.

According to reports, the Polish tourist went to find somewhere discreet to go to the toilet but his urine splashed on to the live rail.
He was said to be a married teacher who was visiting the UK to improve his English.

A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said a fast response unit and two ambulances were sent to the station but the man died at the scene.

According to Network Rail, more than 60 people are killed on railway lines each year.

[SirRichardBear]

I love Mythbusters but over the years having seen them get so many things wrong I don't take what they show very serious.  It's a fun show with great explosions and funny stuff but its not ever reliable.

[PurpleDragon]

I personally think it is now about bigger explosions (Guys just love blowing stuff up) than about disproving myths.

[*Teach*]

This should probably go on the "10 things we don't know about you" but...
The peeing on a shock wire trick... yeah.. you'll get zapped
I grew up surrounded by cow pastures... we went hunting across them many many time
and once... and it only took once to learn...
yep... I did it... and it hurt... a lot
I never saw the wire, but I sure as hell looked for them after that
For those interested... the wire was about knee high (maybe a little higher)
even now... i cringe thinking of it

*and it was sadly before I learned that rum could dull pain...*

[Sir Ironhead]

So much for peeing on a fence...redefines 'lightning rod' me thinks.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080722/tuk-man-died-urinating-on-live-rail-dba1618.html

They proved that peeing an the third rail won't kill you but you will get zapped peeing on an electric fence.  Adam actually did it and almost doubled over when the power surged thru 

[Noble Dreg]

I guess Myth-Busters got it right, and Adam wisely chose not to test it out on a rail transmitting lethal voltage!

So apparently the lesson we should take away from this is "Nay, the world is not my urinal".