Travis Malouff, 42 years old, decided to try out the eating challenge at Voodoo Doughnuts in which he had to gobble up a half-pound glazed doughnut in only eighty seconds. Malouff, from Denver, Colorado, wasn’t able to finish the doughnut for he ended up choking from the food and died, according to CBS News.
According to the Denver Medical Examiner’s Office, Malouff died from “asphyxia, due to obstruction of the airway.” Witness Julia Edelstein said that the doughnut that was supposed to be consumed had the “size of a small cake.”
Winners of the challenge will get not only the doughnut, but also a button declaring that they had beaten the challenge for free. After the tragic incident, Voodoo Doughnuts confirmed that it is suspending the challenge, according to statement given to Denver news station KUSA-TV.
Edelstein said that while she was in line inside the store, the overall atmosphere was exciting and fun. Voodoo Doughnuts originated from Portland, Oregon, where it first opened. The business is known for the colorful and creative pastries that they sell.
People inside the store, according to Edelstein, was excited to witness Malouff devour the huge doughnut. Somebody said, “Let’s give him a round of applause.”
Edelstein said that Malouff broke the doughnut into two parts and immediately started eating one of them while he walked around the store motivated by the cheers of the crowd. 30 seconds into the challenge, according to the announcement made by an employee, Malouff drank his cup of water and took another bite of the doughnut.
Then, Malouff threw his upper torso to the counter and pounded heavily on it. Edelstein said, “Watching somebody participate in an eating contest, it looks like they’re distressed. The whole thing looks like a sign of distress. Nobody realized what was happening.”
Malouff was still holding a part of the doughnut in his hand when he turned around and collapsed to the floor. His face was blue and customers quickly helped him while the paramedics were on their way. He died at the scene, according to the police.
Edelstein said, “We weren’t running in front of cars, we weren’t playing with guns or anything that causes death. We were just out having fun.”
Curtis Malouff, Travis’ son, told 9News, “It’s tragic. It’s a loss of life that shouldn’t be.” He described his father as an “energetic and open-minded person.”
VooDoo Doughnuts didn’t immediately respond from requests.
