Working out in a gym can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be perilous, especially when engaging in high-intensity exercises like bench pressing.
A man in China ended up being killed after a 120kg barbell landed on his neck and pinned him to the bench.
The Fatal Solo Workout
A shocking incident occurred in Henan province, China, when a 27-year-old man named Xiaohou tragically lost his life during a solo workout session, according to Yangtse Evening News.
Xiaohou was a fitness enthusiast who had dedicated four years to sculpting his physique after university. His dedication to fitness was such that he rarely entertained the idea of having a girlfriend.
On that fateful day, Xiaohou arrived at the gym before it opened at 2.30pm. He had access to the facility due to his previous work as a trainer there. The deadly incident transpired at approximately 1.57pm, as captured by the gym’s CCTV footage.
The Ill-Fated Bench Press
In a chilling video recorded by Xiaohou himself, he can be seen approaching a weightlifting bench with determination. Lying on his back, he grasps a barbell loaded with at least three weights on one end.
With an extreme arch in his back, he lifts the heavy barbell over his body. He expends considerable effort to lower the barbell over his chest, seemingly trying to rack it on the hooks.
However, disaster strikes as his arms struggle to control the descending weight. The barbell rolls down onto his neck, causing him intense pain.
Despite his valiant efforts to free himself, he succumbs to the relentless pressure. He was seen struggling helplessly trying to push the weights off his neck without success as his body convulsed and twitches in agony before ultimately going limp.
The Gym’s Tragic Fallout
Upon the gym staff’s arrival at 2.30pm, they discovered Xiaohou trapped beneath the barbell, which bore the weight of 120kg. Despite their efforts to summon an ambulance, medics arrived to a grim scene: Xiaohou had already died..
Tragedy struck once again when Xiaohou’s family arrived at the gym, bearing a crystal coffin and demanding compensation of 1.2 million yuan (S$225,000).
Their refusal to remove his body from the gym led to heartbreak for both the gym and its members. Many members sought refunds, ultimately forcing the gym’s closure with losses estimated at about 600,000 yuan (S$112,400).
A Complex Legal Battle
The legal aftermath of this tragedy proved no less harrowing. In court, the gym was deemed 90% liable for the incident, leaving its owner, Mr. Zhao, deeply aggrieved. He filed an appeal, hoping for a more favorable verdict.
Prior to Xiaohou’s passing, friends used to visit his home during festivals. However, since the tragedy, the once-close relationship between the friends and Xiaohou’s family has soured.
Xiaohou’s mother has not been seen, and conversations with his uncle revolve solely around compensation, leaving Mr. Zhao and his friends unable to locate Xiaohou’s final resting place.
You can watch the full video here. (Warning: Graphic and disturbing images, viewer discretion is advised)