#3

After breaking the world record with a bench press of 530 lbs, Swede Burns attempted 550 lbs. The weight flew off his hands, but slipped about midway up. Unfortunately his spotters weren’t ready.

From Swede: I also almost died, and while I am alive I am severely injured. After the video of the 530 is a clip of me smoking 550 raw and then dumping it on my chest from near lockout. It actually bounced off of my chest.

The paramedics looked at me. My lungs sound good and my vitals are ok. My wife has to watch my breathing until tomorrow night because it takes that long for a pulmonary contusion to develop. Any stomach pains or peeing blood I’m supposed to go right in to the hospital. Breathing is devastating right now, because of the ribs, and possible bruised lungs, but I’m going to make it. I included the drop in the video, because I wouldn’t be telling the whole story if I just had my new record in there. It happened. When we push the limits, sometimes this stuff happens. It wasn’t the spotter’s fault, it wasn’t my fault. It was just a freak, unfortunate incident.