Water Waste Turns Deadly

An elderly man watering his lawn in drought-stricken Australia was recently berated by a passerby for wasting water. A fight then broke out and the man was beaten to death.

1 minute read

November 5, 2007, 7:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"A man has been charged with murder in Australia after an elderly man who was watering his garden was bashed to death in an apparent case of suburban water-rage."

"Australia is in its sixth year of severe drought and most towns and cities have imposed strict limits on household water use, prompting a rise in suburban arguments and neighbors informing authorities about those who waste water."

"In the latest incident, police said 66-year-old Ken Proctor was using a hose to water the front lawn of his suburban Sydney home when a man walking past made a remark about water waste."

"Proctor then turned the hose on the passer by, prompting a fight. He was knocked the ground and was punched and kicked. He was treated by ambulance officers, but died later in hospital."

Thanks to Travis Campbell

FULL STORY: Man killed in water-rage attack in Australia

Thursday, November 1, 2007 in Reuters

Environment Australia

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