Italian chokes to death on pizza: Man, 54, dies after mozzarella becomes wedged in his airway during dinner in Naples
- The man, from Naples, was taken to a hospital in the city after the food got stuck
- His skin had reportedly turned blue by the time he arrived at San Paolo hospital
- Reports in Italy have focused on an alleged row between medical staff there
A 54-year-old man has choked to death on a slice of pizza in Italy.
The man, from Naples, was taken to a hospital in the city after a piece of mozzarella cheese became lodged in his airway.
According to reports in Italy, the man’s skin had turned blue by the time he arrived in hospital on Saturday evening.
Medics tried a Heimlich manouevre and attempted last-ditch surgery but were unable to save the patient’s life, according to Fanpage Naples.
A man from Naples died at the San Paolo hospital (pictured) in the city after a piece of mozzarella became lodged in his airway
Italian media reports have pointed to a possible dispute between doctors once he arrived at the San Paolo hospital.
The row is said to have taken place between an anesthesiologist and his medical colleagues.
It is claimed that this argument may have wasted valuable time and delayed a medical procedure.
Family members of the man, who has not been named, have reportedly spoken to Italian police.
The national Carabinieri police force is said to be investigating the matter.
The 54-year-old died after choking on a pizza on Saturday evening (stock photo)
Last November a former boxer choked to death during a televised croissant eating contest in Argentina.
Mario Melo, 56, collapsed behind the contest’s announcer as he was choking on a medialuna, a traditional Argentine croissant.
His sister said viewers thought he was pulling a prank, but he kept desperately gesturing to the announcer for help.
Melo was a light heavyweight and heavyweight champion of South America in the 1980s and 1990s.