Man dies trying to scarf doughnut in shop’s eating challenge

DENVER – A man trying to eat a half-pound doughnut in 80 seconds as part of a doughnut shop’s eating challenge has choked to death in Denver.

The city coroner’s office says 42-year-old Travis Malouff of Thornton died early Sunday of asphyxia due to obstruction of the airway.

Julia Edelstein was standing in line at Voodoo Doughnuts and said Malouff was trying to eat a half-pound glazed doughnut around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when he choked.

Edelstein says people tried to help him when they realized he was choking. The coroner’s office said Malouff died at the scene.

Portland, Oregon-based Voodoo Doughnuts didn’t immediately return calls or emails seeking comment.

Denver news station KUSA-TV first reported Malouff’s death.