Culture

'Wipeout' Death: Tom Sparks Dies on Reality TV Show

by Jordan Yerman | November 13, 2009 at 08:59 am

5233 views | 2 Recommendations | 4 comments

Tom Sparks, a contestant on Wipeout, died after attempting to complete an obstacle course on the reality show. Tom Sparks suffered from kneee pain and shortness of breath during the Wipeout course, and was eventually taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where, on November 5, he died after several brain surgeries. Tom Sparks' funeral was held yesterday.

It seems like Tom Sparks died of a stroke, but the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is carrying out further tests.

Sparks, who was teamed with his wife, Katie, on the reality show, graduated from USC in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in communications. The couple married a few months ago and had recently returned from a European honeymoon.

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nlasj (not verified)

at 23:15 on November 13th, 2009

that's freaking sad!! who would freaking participate if they weren't even healthy??? i wonder if there gonna stop the show?? O___o

Jody (not verified)

at 10:45 on November 15th, 2009

They should stop this show or it's going to continue to have bad luck such as this!!! It's getting old already.... My Prayer's are with Tom's family!!

Lars Ullichts (not verified)

at 02:08 on November 16th, 2009

How large do you think their insurance policy is on contestants?(ref:Capitalism - A Love Story)

Fin (not verified)

at 14:11 on November 18th, 2009

This is so sad. His uncle held a mass at my school and told us this story. The left side of his brain was completely gone when shown on an MRI. Rest in peace Tom Sparks.