When "doughnuts to die for" goes too far. One Denver man lost his life eating a half-pound doughnut.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Travis Malouff. The 42-year-old Denver resident choked to death, and the choking is linked to a half-pound doughnut eating contest. According to authorities, Malouff died on Sunday, "from asphyxia, due to obstruction of the airway," the office of the Denver medical examiner said in a statement. Authorities have not confirmed that Malouff died during an eating contest, but one anonymous eye witness said the man was taking part in the doughnut chain's "Tex-Ass" doughnut challenge. The contest was held by the popular Voodoo Doughnut Shop in Denver. The contest rules are as follows: participants must eat a half-pound glazed doughnut –about the same amount as six regular doughnuts– in 80 seconds.
Malouff's friends attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver and CPR, but were unable to dislodge the doughnut. Paramedics rushed to the scene shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday after reports of an individual choking, stated the Denver Fire Department. Unfortunately, Malouff was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sara Heise, a spokeswoman for the Portland, Oregon-based doughnut chain, released a statement on behalf of the company. She said the company's hearts go out to the friends and families of Travis Malouff. The statement continued, "We have suspended the eating challenge in all our locations. While this matter is under investigation, we believe it would be inappropriate to comment further."
A similar death to Malouff's was also reported over the same weekend. A 21-year-old student at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, died on Sunday, April 2. Three days after she choked during a pancake-eating challenge.
Believe it or not, competitive eating or these too-much-food eating challenges, have a plethora of dangers tied to them. You can make yourself seriously ill if you aren't prepared for the challenge ahead. At the same time, if you don't have someone trained in CPR, first aid or the Heimlich, like in these cases, you could choke to death.
