Man with crab phobia is left in a bathtub surrounded by crustaceans in video

Publish date: 2024-07-02

A video of a man with a phobia of crabs and lobsters screaming and squirming as he lies bound in a bathtub surrounded by live crustaceans has divided the internet.

The 30-second clip featuring the blood-curdling screams of a man who appears to be hyperventilating as he is teased with lobsters has been watched more than 7.7 million times.

But the video has provoked mixed reactions from viewers on Facebook - with some claiming it is 'just a prank' and others said it could have caused injured the man with the phobia. 

Help! Durran Ferguson, pictured above screaming in a bathtub, has a phobia of crabs and lobsters

Help! Durran Ferguson, pictured above screaming in a bathtub, has a phobia of crabs and lobsters

Phobia: Durran, from Toronto, was bound up and left in a bathtub before being surrounded by crustaceans

Phobia: Durran, from Toronto, was bound up and left in a bathtub before being surrounded by crustaceans

Squirming: The terrified man, pictured above screaming, was watched on by members of his comedy group

Squirming: The terrified man, pictured above screaming, was watched on by members of his comedy group

The man featured in the video is thought to be Durran Ferguson, from Toronto, a member of comedy group 4YallEntertainment, who claims to have a phobia of crabs and lobsters.

As the film opens, Durran is seen with his legs and torso and arms bound by duct tape in a bathtub and lets out a huge scream as two big lobsters are put on the side of the bath.

Then another man brings a crab on a tray and steps over the bound man to put it on the other side of the bath as he continues screaming.

Five people are seen watching the action around the bath tub, some of them filming the proceedings on their phones, as the man screams and wails in terror unaided.

The man then puts a lobster on the man's back making him wail even louder and more high-pitched. 

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Share Divisive: The video of Durran, pictured with a lobster on his back, has been watched more than 7.7 million times on Facebook but not everybody thinks it is funny

Divisive: The video of Durran, pictured with a lobster on his back, has been watched more than 7.7 million times on Facebook but not everybody thinks it is funny

Dangerous: Some viewers claim the prank was cruel and could have put Durran at risk of having a heart attack

Dangerous: Some viewers claim the prank was cruel and could have put Durran at risk of having a heart attack

Surrounded: Durran continuously screamed as his nightmare scenario was unleashed on him

Surrounded: Durran continuously screamed as his nightmare scenario was unleashed on him

Voyeurs: Durran was watched by at least five others who were filming the incident as he suffered 

Voyeurs: Durran was watched by at least five others who were filming the incident as he suffered 

Surrounded by crustaceans and with a lobster inside the bath and one on his back, he continues hysterically screaming.

The other man climbs into the bath and places a lobster on his chest prompting him to fling his head backwards with his eyes shut, screaming.

When asked how he found the experience, Durran, said in YouTube video The Lobster Prank: 'It was scary. I don't like crabs, lobsters.' 

He is seen hopping away from the bathroom, part of his legs still bound and his pants falling down. 

The video explains that it was a prank but that Durran has a genuine fear of the creature. It says he was aware that he was going to be tied up in a bathtub with duct tape but did not know the real reason why.

The video has attracted strong criticism after it was posted on the Hood Videos Facebook page claiming it is 'ignorant as hell' and that Durran could have had a heart attack.

Prank: Although Durran, pictured in the bath, appeared to escape unscathed, one viewer said it was 'ignorant as hell'

Prank: Although Durran, pictured in the bath, appeared to escape unscathed, one viewer said it was 'ignorant as hell'

Crustaceans: Comedy group 4YallEntertainment, of which Durran is a member, said he had no idea what was going to happen

Crustaceans: Comedy group 4YallEntertainment, of which Durran is a member, said he had no idea what was going to happen

One comment, by Kenya Guy, that has been liked more than 4,000 times, said: 'This is ignorant as hell. Now If he has a heart attack they all would be looking stupid. Some people have phobias [sic]'

Another viewer, Shovanta Jefferson, said: 'I'm actually scared of lobsters and crabs dead or alive....I would have most def died in that tub [sic]'. 

Others said it could in fact  have had a positive affect on Durran, claiming it is a technique used by experts.

Joel Dixon wrote: 'It's called flooding, it's a very good way of getting rid of phobias and people actually pay to do it'.

Some said it should not be taken seriously and claim the man was acting. 

Dee Johnson wrote: 'ITS JUST A PRANK BRO [sic]'. 

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