arel Soucek: Shock-Absorbent Barrel (1985)

Karel Soucek was a Canadian professional stuntman who is famous for inventing "the capsule” and riding it down Niagara Falls. On that occasion he survived, although he suffered some injuries.

On January 19, 1985, Soucek convinced a company to finance a barrel drop from the top of the Houston Astrodome in Texas. A special waterfall was created from the top of the 180 ft. structure, with a plunge pit at the bottom. However, instead of landing in the center of the tank of water, the barrel hit the rim, causing the capsule to splinter and severely injure him. Soucek died the next day.