An Unfortunate Bounce Out.
During this weeks
match, a dart bounced out as they frequently do and flew in the direction of the
marker hitting him on the forehead. Usually when this happens there is no real
damage done and the dart just falls to the floor, (Link
to article.) but on this occasion it actually drew blood. The marker brushed
his head 
and
the game continued to the end after which we all realised that he was still
bleeding. Not just a spot, but it was running down his forehead and all over his
face. Someone else marked and we told him to go and clean up. Everyone was more
than a little shocked at the amount of blood and to lighten the room I said,
“That’ll teach him to get the score wrong earlier!”
The players in the room roared and their mood relaxed with some of the opposing team saying that they, “had thought that, but were glad that I had said it and not them.”
Some of us said that the marker could sue either the player or the club, but one of our players, who is also a member of the club and a serving Policeman, said that, “the injury was self inflicted as he saw the marker move his head as the dart was thrown and if he hadn't moved it wouldn't have hit him.”
I have seen many players try to catch a bounce out and end up being hit by a dart in their hand or feet etc, but I have never seen a dart draw blood like that before, not in 35 years of darts. The marker explained afterwards that he had bled heavily because he was on heart tablets and aspirin etc to thin his blood. In fact he said that his dose had been reduced as he was becoming a right bleeder and I had to concur!
The incident reminded me of a darts “mocumentary” film that was shown on the TV a few years ago on which I did a little review. (Film Review Link.)
Chatting to Pete
later he told me that many years ago he had seen a young woman spectator who had
been too close to the board and been hit in the temple by a dart. It had been a
hospital job, although she did recover with no ill effects. In return I recalled
an incident from many years ago involving one of our players who had the lower
part of one leg missing. It was some 30 years ago and he still had an old style
artificial leg fitted that was basically just made from wood. He had been
sitting close to the board one night when a dart bounced out and landed firmly
in his artificial leg. It went in solidly and he had a really 
tight
grip on it as he tugged hard to get it out. Of course he never flinched and just
casually handed it back to the player who had his mouth wide open at this tough
guys bravery!
I suppose it was very rare accidents where people have been hit that persuaded large parts of the World to adopt plastic points, but darts is part of our British heritage and an important part of pub life. Darts has always been a part of growing up for many young lads, so much so that it can be seen in many pub scenes on films, soaps and dramas on tv. Being realistic the chances of being hit by a dart are fairly slim and the chances of being seriously hurt must be one in many, many millions with the number of pub games played in the UK every week. I am sure that you would have far more chance of being hit by a car and mutilated when walking home after the darts match, or even of being stabbed by a mugger, ( or rival player that you had just beaten!)