Helium balloon deadly trap for 2 college students in Fla.
Lutz, Fla. – Two college students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon after apparently pulling it down and crawling inside it, officials said.
The deaths of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, appear to have been accidental, Hillsborough County sheriff’s Maj. Bob Schrader said.
Their bodies were found Saturday partially inside a deflated helium balloon at the entrance of a condominium complex a few miles north of Tampa. The 8-foot-diameter balloon was used to advertise the complex.
“It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing,” said Linda Rydman, Sara’s mother. “You know how you blow up the balloon and suck the helium.”
The county medical examiner said Sunday that the cause of death won’t be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back.
Inhaling helium can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen, according to the Compressed Gas Association, which develops safety standards in the gas industry.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
One of two escapees from jail recaptured
One of two inmates who escaped from the District of Columbia Jail was caught early Sunday at a hotel several miles outside the city, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
Joseph Leaks, 32, was apprehended in Alexandria, Va., said Kevin Connolly, a spokesman for the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Leaks and the other escapee, Ricardo Jones, 25, are awaiting trial in a shooting last July.
The inmates left the jail by entering an administrative office and breaking a window Saturday, said Devon Brown, director of the D.C. Department of Corrections.
WASHINGTON
Man tries to jump White House fence
The Secret Service apprehended a man who was trying to jump the fence on the south side of the White House on Sunday.
Secret Service spokesman Tom Mazur identified the man as Roger Witmer, 44, of Washington, who faces charges of unlawful entry and disorderly conduct.
Mazur said Witmer was caught before he got over the fence, but he threw over plastic bags, and officials shut down traffic near the White House so they could be examined for explosives. None was found.
President Bush was on a bike ride in Beltsville, Md., when Witmer was taken into custody.
YENAGOA, Nigeria
8 oil workers freed after 2 days’ captivity
Nigerian militants Sunday released eight oil rig workers, who looked tired but unharmed after two days in captivity.
Police involved in negotiating release of the six Britons, one American and one Canadian would not say whether a ransom was paid. Their names were not released.
The workers were kidnapped Friday from an offshore platform 40 miles from Nigeria’s southeastern coast by a group of unidentified militants demanding jobs and money.
BANTUL, Indonesia
Quake survivors face growing list of threats
Many of Indonesia’s 650,000 homeless earthquake survivors are living with deteriorating sanitary conditions, forced to wash with dirty water that infects wounds and spreads skin disease, doctors said Sunday.
Another peril loomed from a nearby volcano, Mount Merapi, which spewed lava and hot gases dozens of times Sunday.
There was also concern about bird flu, as some of the homeless have taken shelter in chicken coops. At least 37 Indonesians have died from the virus, with the World Health Organization confirming Sunday that bird flu killed a boy who died last month.
More than 1,000 aftershocks have hit since the earthquake struck May 27, killing at least 6,234 people and injuring 30,000.
“Wedding Crashers” hogs awards at MTV show
Culver City, Calif. – Last summer’s “Wedding Crashers” was the big winner at Saturday night’s 2006 MTV Movie Awards, collecting three trophies, including the coveted Golden Popcorn for best movie.
The unconventional ceremony is known for taking a lighthearted look at the industry it honors. The film also earned a breakthrough-performance honor for Isla Fisher and best on-screen team award for Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who beat out Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon for best performance, teamed with “Brokeback Mountain” co-star Heath Ledger for best kiss.
Show host Jessica Alba took home a trophy for her sexy striptease performance in “Sin City.”
“Thank you to all the perverts who voted for me,” she said.
Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx presented the prize for best fight to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Christian Bale won best hero for his role in “Batman Begins,” and Hayden Christensen was named best villain for his turn as Darth Vader in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.”
Rapper LL Cool J presented Spike Lee with the Silver Bucket of Excellence for “Do the Right Thing,” his 1989 film examining racial tensions. The prize honors a movie from the past that has present-day resonance. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly presented the best comedic performance prize to Steve Carell for “The 40 Year-Old Virgin.” Later, Ferrell honored fellow funnyman Jim Carrey with the MTV Generation Award for his diverse body of work.
“This man’s versatility makes Thomas Jefferson look like a big fat idiot,” Ferrell said.
