Man Narrowly Escapes Death as Billboard Collapses Near Him

A man in Chaozhou, China, narrowly avoided serious injury or death on September 7 when a billboard collapsed onto the roadside bench where he was sleeping. The incident, captured on video, shows the man oblivious to the danger until the moment the sign crashed down next to him.

The near-disaster occurred when a truck struck a nearby billboard, causing it to topple. The large sign then fell towards the bench, stopping just inches from the sleeping man. The impact jolted him awake, and footage shows him appearing uninjured, though a pack of cigarettes he had placed next to him was crushed by the falling structure.

Online commentators drew parallels between the close call and scenes from the “Final Destination” film series. Some viewers interpreted the event as a warning about the dangers of smoking, with one person noting, "Smoking’s bad for you. A sign from God. It will kill you."