Contestant killed after television tragedy while filming Wipeout reboot

A Wipeout contestant died after completing the game show’s obstacle course, authorities and sources close to the production said on Friday.

The man in his 30s was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, said Los Angeles County Coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani. The cause of death has not been released and the man’s name was withheld until family members could be notified.

The reality competition show, in which contestants navigate an extreme obstacle course with giant balls and traps that often result in spectacular crashes, aired on ABC from 2008 to 2014 and is being rebooted by TBS and producer Endemol. Shine North America.

Two people close to the production said the man had completed the course on the set of the show in Santa Clarita, California, when he needed medical attention. He was assisted by medical personnel at the scene until paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The show stopped production on Thursday and Friday and has a free week planned next week, they said. Its contestants undergo a medical examination before competing.

“We are devastated to learn of his passing and our condolences to the family,” TBS said in a statement.

Endemol Shine released a statement saying, “We offer our condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time.”

TBS announced in April that the show would be making a comeback, and in September it said its new hosts would be John Cena and Nicole Byer. A release date had not yet been set.

TMZ first reported the death.

– AP