Worker dead at desk for 5 days! (I know this is old, but MY GOD!)

[napi21]

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_george_turklebaum.htm

Bosses of a publishing firm are trying to work out why no one noticed that one of their employees had been sitting dead at his desk for FIVE DAYS before anyone asked if he was feeling okay.

George Turklebaum, 51, who had been employed as a proof-reader at a New York firm for 30 years, had a heart attack in the open-plan office he shared with 23 other workers. He quietly passed away on Monday, but nobody noticed until Saturday morning when an office cleaner asked why he was still working during the weekend.

His boss Elliot Wachiaski said: "George was always the first guy in each morning and the last to leave at night, so no one found it unusual that he was in the same position all that time and didn't say anything. He was always absorbed in his work and kept much to himself."

A post mortem examination revealed that he had been dead for five days after suffering a coronary. Ironically, George was proofreading manuscripts of medical textbooks when he died.

... You may want to give your co-workers a nudge occasionally.

I never heard this story before, and a friend just sent it to me. I realize it's from 2001, but this is the most bizzare thing I think I've ever heard! I've heard people complain about being ignored at work, but geesh!

[greyl]

1. It's not true.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/horrors/a/turklebaum.htm

[melody]

2. Dave Emery is the "urban legends" guide at About.com???

Turklebaum I knew about ... but Dave Emery being a voice of reason -- now that's amazing.

[JackRiddler]

7. Well...

One can easily manufacture myths in one place and cut down different myths in another place, especially if both are paying gigs.

[Historic NY]

3. I don't know real estate people keep finding dead people...

that have been missing for some time.

[JackRiddler]

4. Wow, this is such obvious bullshit.

I mean, really.

Unless of course the guy was treated and stuffed by a taxidermist on the morning of the second day, of course.

[elehhhhna]

6. second day AT THE LATEST.

[Bill McBlueState]

5. it says right in your link

that this is false. :shrug:

[mdmc]

8. I hope I die on a Sunday

I hate mondays. I would hate to die on a Friday.