Boy, 13, dies after choking on hot dog at San Pedro charity event
Police said Wednesday that they were investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy who choked on a hot dog during a charity event at the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club.
The boy swallowed the hot dog during a contest last Thursday and died several days later after he was taken off life support, said Sgt. Danny Contreras of the Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Division.
"It was a very unfortunate accident," said Contreras, who said detectives were conducting a death report investigation.
He said people tried to help the boy before rescuers arrived. "None of them were able to dislodge it from his throat," Contreras said.
Officials from the Boys and Girls Club were not available Wednesday night for comment.
But the executive director of the center, Mike Lansing, told the Daily Breeze that the event was organized to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.
Lansing said the contest was not to determine who could eat the most hot dogs. Instead, each youth ate a hot dog and bun with whipped cream on it, Lansing was quoted as saying.
Those who ate the hot dogs received a candy as a prize, according to the newspaper.
--Robert J. Lopez
The boy swallowed the hot dog during a contest last Thursday and died several days later after he was taken off life support, said Sgt. Danny Contreras of the Los Angeles Police Department's Harbor Division.
"It was a very unfortunate accident," said Contreras, who said detectives were conducting a death report investigation.
He said people tried to help the boy before rescuers arrived. "None of them were able to dislodge it from his throat," Contreras said.
Officials from the Boys and Girls Club were not available Wednesday night for comment.
But the executive director of the center, Mike Lansing, told the Daily Breeze that the event was organized to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.
Lansing said the contest was not to determine who could eat the most hot dogs. Instead, each youth ate a hot dog and bun with whipped cream on it, Lansing was quoted as saying.
Those who ate the hot dogs received a candy as a prize, according to the newspaper.
--Robert J. Lopez
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Doesn't anyone have a heart anymore? What's happened to this world?
Posted by: Roberta | February 04, 2010 at 12:13 AM
A hot dog with whipped cream on it? For a piece of candy? How is THAT supposed to help Haiti? I think we should just contribute to the Red Cross and leave the fundraising to the pros.
Posted by: Mark | February 04, 2010 at 04:43 AM
RIP young man and my condolences to the family.
Posted by: So Sad! | February 04, 2010 at 09:20 AM
it's just an unfortunate accident. i was relieved to read that it wasn't a hot dog eating contest, and that it was just a weird food eating contest. My condolences to his family, friends, and other loved ones.
Posted by: janet | February 04, 2010 at 12:06 PM
noah thomas akers: well what can i say i knew him pretty goo he attended richard henry dana middle skool with me and sum other friends he will be rememberd
Posted by: cynthia | June 26, 2010 at 06:37 PM