I remember when Wipeout premiered on ABC there was a lot of talk about what sort of contract the contestants had to sign because there was a very good chance that someone could get seriously injured getting punched in the face or sliding off of giant balls and ramps. Turns out they have to sign a pretty extensive contract. And now comes word that a contestant that was taping an appearance on the show has died.
It should be noted that Tom Sparks, who was 33, probably died in the hospital from a pre-existing condition (perhaps a blood clot) that had nothing to do with the injury on the Wipeout set. Sparks hurt his knee on the show a couple of weeks ago and medics told him to stop. He then started to experience shortness of breath so they took him to the hospital. He died on November 5.
The final cause of death won't be determined for several more weeks when test results come in.
[via TV Tattle]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-12-2009 @ 4:04PM
Carmack said...
I hope this means the show is toast, then. Regardless of the actual cause, if a man's death doesn't spell the end for the show then it takes reality TV in a dangerous direction.
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11-12-2009 @ 4:12PM
Christian H. said...
Did you read the article? He did neither die on the show nor of an injury he got while being on the show.
11-12-2009 @ 4:13PM
Creep said...
Is this really relevant to the show?
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11-12-2009 @ 4:56PM
Aaron said...
Wonderful misleading headline, Terrible Website.
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11-12-2009 @ 10:25PM
Andrew said...
The headline is not misleading at all. The guy was a contestant on Wipeout, and he died.
11-12-2009 @ 10:26PM
MCW said...
What do you mean?
Oh, by the way, I'm testing a headline out for my site... how's this sound "Showcase Showdown contestant dies". I plan to hold back the fact that the contestant actually died 24 years ago until after the jump. I think it'll be a great success.
11-13-2009 @ 3:57AM
adarkwaterfae said...
Kinda, sorta, really, a lot misleading there with the headline...
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11-13-2009 @ 8:13AM
Galley said...
I know of at least one serious injury that occurred on the show. It was the dude who landed hard on the spinner, and quit. He fractured his leg, and now has several metal rods to hold it together.
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1-03-2010 @ 3:19AM
beckyboop said...
Lets remember that these contestants are adults who make an informed consent to participate and sign a waiver. If they are dumb enough to risk themselves then be it on their head. MAYBE this clot travelled from his knee and caused a pulmonary embolism. BUT had he recently flown? Its multifactual. I fell over in the street and broke my scaphoid. Also a dangerous injury but i am not going to blame the city council for my stupidity.
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