Man chokes to death at Hot Dog eating contest
 

Man chokes to death at South Dakota hot dog eating contest


Published July 08, 2014
·Associated Press


CUSTER, S.D. – A Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in western South Dakota turned tragic when a contestant choked to death.

Walter Eagle Tail, 47, of Custer, died at a hospital Thursday after attempts to save him at the scene failed, Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler told the Rapid City Journal.


"There was someone doing CPR when we arrived," Wheeler said. "He probably just suffocated. It got lodged in his throat and they (paramedics) couldn't get it out.

"It all happened within minutes," the sheriff said.

The Custer Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the contest, canceled a pie-eating contest scheduled for Friday.

"We are at a loss for words," Chamber Executive Director Dave Ressler said. "We are mourning for Walter and his family right now."

Speed-eating competitions are popular over the Fourth of July weekend. Eight-time champion Joey "Jaws" Chestnut managed to eat 61 hot dogs in 10 minutes at an annual contest in Coney Island, New York, on Friday -- eight short of the record 69 he swallowed in the 2013 competition.

George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating, a competitive eating organization based in New York, said organizers do all they can to prevent casualties during contests.

"We always make sure it's in a controlled environment," Shea said. "We organize the entire thing around safety. (Just as) if it's football or hockey or auto racing, we approach it as a top priority."'

Funeral arrangements were pending for Eagle Tail, whom friends described as a fun-loving, kind and caring man.

"Walter was just being Walter, having fun when he entered this contest," said Ardis McRae. "He was just having a good time."

Sounds like he wanted to perform a massacre but it turned into his last stand.

Walter choking dog

Meanwhile in Fargo. ...

did he win?

Amateur

"I relish the opportunity to compete for this title."

/his last words

Someone should have had a frank discussion with him about the dangers of competitive eating.

Nathans wrong with a hot dog eating contest.

Sounds like something that would happen to the Chiefs in a playoff game.

That bites the big weenie.

Hebrew up to 300 lbs since joining the circuit.

Sounds like the EMTs might need some retraining, their CPR skills don't cut the mustard.

Death by weiner!

Todd Haley was not impressed

Hot dog eating contest? What's the wurst that could happen?

What a despicable place this is. To make light of my brother's death like this is offensive and very hurtful to me and my family. This was supposed to be a fun activity that the whole family was enjoying over the holiday weekend and it turned into an awful tragedy. I miss my brother dearly and it sickens me to see some of you taking this story and turning it into your own comedy club. He had really hoped to be top dog at this years event, but fell behind early and tried to catch up. Unfortunately, he just could not cut the mustard.

Try to have some respect. RIP Walter (1967-2014)

quite a bit of effort for this outcome

Ban hot dogs

can I have your casino cash?

He was the wiener in my book

I'm certain the family will not relish the outcome

He actually choked on the sport peppers and tomato wedge on the dog, and had an allergic reaction to celery salt.


It's the Chicago way!!

http://thingsnstuffpodcast.files.wor...424744_640.jpg

Hopefully you don't choke on your tears

LMAO

WTF did they cancel the pie eating contest? Everyone likes pie.

Well, I'm guessing some genious decided , well ,pies are larger than hot dogs, this might cause a problem.

I never sausage a thing

Should have got the gluten free buns.

Technically, it's a sport if the hot dogs play defense.

Outstanding.

Who knew that hot dogs being "kosher" meant that they know Krav Maga?

The guy he cut off in traffic earlier that morning ironically yelled at him "I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON A DICK"

It's like cho-oh-king at at a hot dog contest.

http://assets-s3.usmagazine.com/uplo...rissette-g.jpg

tempting...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>How do you hotdog? Our folks at Hebrew National have some tips to help you make the most of your favorite dog. Visit <a href="http://t.co/Glx0Q1rkRA">http://t.co/Glx0Q1rkRA</a></p>&mdash; ConAgra Foods (@ConAgraFoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConAgraFoods/statuses/486611173563842560">July 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DO IT GORDON!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9rsI_xE5q...er-mullan1.jpg

I can't, their foundation just gave an organization I'm connected to a big ass check :shake:

I was more hoping that you would get the reference than actually doing it lol. Though I absolutely DO condone you going through with it. Don't get me wrong here.

He should have hired Claytex to teach the ways of inhaling tubesteak.