LOS ANGELES – A contestant on a “wipeout” has died after completing a game show interruption course, officials and sources close to the production said Friday.
The 30-year-old was pronounced dead at a hospital around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles County Rajya Sabha spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said. The cause of death has not been released, and the man’s name was withheld until relatives were notified.
The reality competition show, in which competitors navigate an extreme obstacle course featuring huge balls and difficulties that often lead to spectacular crashes, ran on ABC from 2008 to 2014 and was rebooted by TBS and production company Endemol Shine North America.
Two people close to the production said the man had completed a course on the set of the show in Santa Clarita, California, when he needed medical help. Paramedics did not arrive and took him to the hospital until he was assisted by on-site medical staff. People spoke on condition of anonymity because they do not have the right to speak in public.
The show has stopped production on Thursdays and Fridays and is scheduled for next week, they said. Its competitors give a medical examination before the competition.
“We are saddened to learn of his death and extend our deepest sympathies to the family,” TBS said in a statement.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time,” Endemol Shane said in a statement.
TBS announced in April that the show would return, and said in September that its new hosts would be John Cena and Nicole Byrne. No premiere date has been set yet.
The death was reported earlier by TMZ.
