Officials are investigating the death of a mother who choked to death during a marshmallow-eating contest in the United Kingdom last year.
Natalie Buss, 37, died after consuming dozens of pink and white marshmallows at a rugby fundraiser in Beddau, Wales, on Oct. 7, 2023, according to The Times U.K. and the BBC. The contest involved eating as many of the sugary puffs in 60 seconds.
Coroner Patricia Morgan said officials received calls that Buss collapsed upon leaving the stage as she “appeared to be choking,” the BBC reported. Paramedics performed CPR measured until she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The mother took part in the contest, in which participants see who can “fit the most marshmallows into their mouth,” after winning a bingo game at the fundraising event, the Times reported.
Buss was from a south Wales town called Church Village and worked as an accountant, according to the Times. She was the mother of two children, including a son that was a part of the rugby team. Following her death, representatives of the Beddau RFC rugby club told the BBC that they were devastated by “the loss of a lady who was a wonderful wife, mother and daughter.”
Officials investigate DJ who hosted contest
Wales officials are investigating a 34-year-old DJ and children’s entertainer who went by the nickname “Roly Poly” and hosted the marshmallow contest, the Times reported.
Gibbons was an “established entertainer” who hosted hundreds of parties for over 15 years, according to the Times. At a pre-inquest hearing, it was revealed that the DJ has “since decided to stop introducing the game to people.”
South Wales assistant coroner Gavin Knox said a jury might be required in the inquest as Buss’ death is considered “suspicious, contentious” or could “have wider ramifications for the public,” according to the Times. He added that the incident could have been the result of a “notifiable accident.”
Knox said the incident has been reported to the country’s Health and Safety Executive for investigation, the outlet reported. However, he said a full inquest could take at least another six months to begin due to a backlog in jury inquests. He assured the family that he would offer a date as soon he can.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mom chokes to death during marshmallow-eating contest