Photo: Facebook/Travis Malouff
You’re downing a Goliath-sized doughnut in front of dozens of people who are cheering you on. It’s fun. It’s an adrenaline rush. And then … tragedy.
Such was the case for 42-year-old Travis Malouff, a Denver native who choked to death during a doughnut eating contest in Denver on Sunday. The freak accident came on the same day a college student died during a pancake eating contest at her sorority in Connecticut.
Malouff’s tragic end came at Voodoo Doughnut while trying to perform the ‘Tex-Ass Doughnut Challenge,’ which involves engorging a half-pound doughnut in 80 seconds.
Here it is.
Photo: via Food Challenges
According to KUSA, bystanders tried the Heimlich maneuver to no avail.
“They tried so hard to do everything. It was clear that nobody was trained and they were just reacting,” a witness said. “You [have to] do something I think.” …
… “It’s too much food for one person, even as the size that he was,” witness Julia Edelstein said. “That’s too much for someone to eat. He was trying to force it down.”
The medical examiner confirmed that Malouff died of asphyxia — meaning he choked to death.
Voodoo Doughnut is reportedly cooperating with police and are “saddened” by the event.
Family told media that Malouff was an “energetic” and “open minded person” with an “infectious laugh.”
Me? I’m staying away from eating anything that has ‘Voodoo’ in the title.
Now check these challenges out: 10 Eating Challenges That Will Destroy Your Guts
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports and a contributor for Mandatory.
