Death •

Hundreds of Migrants Believed Dead in Shipwreck

April 19, 2015 By Sandy Morton Leave a Comment

Almost 700 migrants are feared to have died in a shipwreck approximately 70 miles from the Libyan coast, according to information provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

A fishing boat with more than 700 people on board capsized in the night from Saturday and Sunday.

The small fishing boat, with a length of 20 meters, was heavily overcrowded. The vessel launched a distress call, the Italian Coast Guard announced. The Italians sent to the scene a Portuguese commercial vessel, the King Jacob, to help the boat, but when the migrants observed the ship getting closer, they went to one side, and the boat capsized. Rescue missions saved 28 people and until now 24 bodies were recovered.

The Italian Coast Guard has sent 17 ships, including Maltese and Italian fishing boats and but also other private vessels, to the capsize zone to search for other survivors.

Antonino Iraso, an officer with the Italian police, whose vessels are participating in the search-and-rescue operation, said at an Italian television that the mission is now limited to finding bodies, rather than looking for survivors. He added that the teams have observed an oil slick, but also fragments of wood and life jackets in the area..

The route from Libya to the small Italian island of Lampedusa is one of the deadliest migrant ways in the world.

If the tragedy is confirmed, it would bring to approximately 1,600 the number of migrants who have lost their lives since the start of 2015 in attempting to make the trip from Libya to Italy. Last year, almost 3,200 died attempting the passage, according to data from the International Organization for Migration. If the 700 deaths are confirmed, the disaster would become of the incident with the highest death toll among migrants in recorded history.

Last year, around 170,000 African and Middle Eastern migrants got into Italy after making this trip, with nearly 300,000 arrivals in total since the start of 2011.

Conflicts in African and the Middle East and also poverty have driven people to try the dangerous trip in ever greater numbers. The dissolving of law and order in Libya has opened the way for smugglers to work with impunity. In the last months, the situation has gone even worse, after many foreigners who had found jobs in Libya before the conflict are now trying to flee the country.

Image Source: Business Times

No Survivors After Plane Carring 148 Crashes In France

March 24, 2015 By Sandy Morton Leave a Comment

A German plane with 142 passengers and six crew members on board, which was travelling to Düsseldorf from Barcelona, crashed in southern France.

The aircraft was an Airbus A320 operated by Germanwings, a budget of German company Lufthansa. The wreckage was located by a French military helicopter just near the town of Prads-Haute-Bléone.

According to Eric Héraud, a spokesman in Paris for the aviation authority, the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile, the pilots of the aircraft declared an emergency situation at 10:47 a.m. After that, the plane lost altitude rapidly, descending to around 5,000 feet from a cruising altitude of 38,000 feet. The plane flew over the town of Barcelonnette in the Alpes de Haute-Provence region

French President François Hollande announced that many of the victims were German. “The conditions of the accident, which have not yet been clarified, suggest that there might not be any survivors,” he added.

According to a local official, the debris of the crash was spread over five acres. President Hollande announced he was scheduled to talk to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish leaders as most of the victims were likely from those countries.

The A320 is the most common aircraft of the Airbus flee. Almost 6.000 of these single-aisle jets are in service with hundreds of airlines in the entire world. More than one billion passengers flew on a jet from the A320 series only last year. According to Ascend, a aviation consultancy company, the A320 has a smaller version, the A319, while the A321 is a stretched version of the same airplane.

The A320 is in service since 1988. According to Ascend, the aircraft has been involved in 12 fatal accidents in these years.

“We are aware of the media reports and all efforts are now going towards assessing the situation. “We will provide further information as soon as available,” Airbus said in a statement.

Germanwings is a company based in Cologne. The airline was founded in 2002 and seven years later was acquired by Lufthansa. It is the main operator for domestic and short European flights for Germany’s main aerial company. Germanwings operates flights from cities outside its main hubs in Munich and Frankfurt. The company has a fleet of approximately 80 planes, most of them being Airbus A320s and A319s.

Image Source: Airplane Pictures

Mexican Wrestler Dies In The Ring; Match Continues

March 22, 2015 By Dustin Davis Leave a Comment

Mexican professional wrestler Pedro Aguayo Ramirez collapsed on the ropes of the ring, while the match continued for two minutes, before medics released he was seriously injured.

Ramirez, the son of a wrestling legend in Mexico, died on Saturday, after he received a blow in the ring. According to the Baja California state prosecutor’s office, Pedro Aguayo Ramirez, known as Hijo del Perro Aguayo, lost his consciousness after he received a kick from Oscar Gutierrez, another wrestler known as Rey Mysterio Jr.. The match took place in the municipal auditorium in Tijuana.

The match went on for almost two minutes before the wrestlers and the referee realized Aguayo was gravely injured. He was taken immediately to the hospital, but died a few hours later, said prosecutor’s spokesman Raul Gutierrez.

According to the state prosecutor’s office, the cause of death was trauma to the neck and a cervical fracture. After the autopsy, the authorities have opened an investigation into possible manslaughter.

The Crash, the company that organised the event, couldn’t be reached for comment. The Tijuana Boxing and Wrestling Commission decried the death as an unfortunate accident, a sad consequence high-risk sports.

The match continued as Pedro Aguayo hung motionless on the ropes, commission President Juan Carlos Pelayo explained that people checked his condition immediately, adding that the doctor in charge was not at ringside, as he was offering treatment to another injured wrestler. Paramedics and a doctor who was a spectator offered medical support to Aguayo.

“The reaction for medical attention was quick,” Pelayo said in a press conference Saturday.

Mexico’s professional wrestling scene is known for its colorful costumes and characters. Wrestling is called lucha libre, amd fighters perform spectacular aerial maneuvers both inside and outside the ring.

Aguayo was 35 years-old. He dhd wrestled for 20 years and was the son of the legendary Pedro “Perro” Aguayo. His father is now retired and a member of the Hall of Fame of Aztec lucha.

Aguayo Jr. led a popular group called “Los Perros de Mal” – the bad dogs. He won the national pairs title with his father, and also a national heavyweight championship.

“I think the fans in Mexico, the United States and Japan must be in mourning, especially because of his youth. It makes me very sad,” the wrestler Hijo del Santo said.

Image Source: El Debate

Olympic Champion Dies in Helicopter Crash while Filming a Reality TV Show

March 10, 2015 By Sandy Morton Leave a Comment

Camille Muffat had won the gold medal for France at the 2012 Olympics, when the swimmer set an Olympic record in the 400 m freestyle.

She was only 22 years old at the London Olympics. On Monday, her triumph was showed again and again by French media, after news emerged that Camille Muffat and seven other athletes died in a helicopter crash.

They were filming a reality TV show in Argentina. Champion sailor Florence Arthaud and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine were also among the victims. The French athletes perished while filming an episode for the survivalist program “Dropped”.

The show involves contestants being left on their own in the wilderness and using their survival instincts and skill to find their way back to civilization.

Muffat only joined the reality show two weeks ago. She had retired from swimming last year, after a dispute with her coach, and since then she had participated in various events.

The accident happened while the helicopter was flying near Villa Castelli, more than 700 miles northwest of the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.

According to Cesar Angulo, the Secretary of Security of the region where the helicopter crashed, it is believed that they collided and after that a big explosion followed. The Argentine pilots also died in the accident, which happened near the place where the versions of the show for Switzerland and Denmark were also filmed. The causes of the crash are still unknown.

Florence Arthaud, 57, who was nicknamed “Fiancee of the Atlantic”, was the first famous women in the world of sailing. In 1990 she broke the record for the fastest solitary crossing of the North Atlantic ocean.

Another victim of Monday’s crash, Alexis Vastine, 28, won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing at the 60-64 kilogram category. His loss in the semifinal with Manuel Felix Diaz was surrounded by controversy.

French Sports Minister Thierry Braillard said that “the whole French sport is in mourning” after the loss of “three huge champions”.

It is the second tragedy in two years for a show aired by French station TF1. In April 2013 the medic who was responsible for the contestants’ health in the running show Koh-Lanta committed suicide after one of the athletes died. The competitor had complained of heart pains during one of the tests of the show.

Image Source: Master Swim

Stuart Scott, ESPN Anchor Succumbs to Cancer

January 6, 2015 By William Bland Leave a Comment

At just 49 years old, ESPN anchor, Stuart Scott, has passed away from stomach cancer. Although he had undergone multiple surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, and even various clinical trials after begin diagnosed with cancer in 2007, he finally lost the battle. However, he never looked at his battle as losing.

While fighting for his life, Stuart made a profound statement that will inspire and encourage other people dealing with cancer for many years to come. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell”.

In 1993, Stuart joined the ESPN family, quickly reaching the top spot on the SportsCenter program. He was full of life, always enthusiastic and best known for his colorful phrases and descriptions of stories that pertained to sports. As explained by Dan Patrick, former ESPN anchor and sports radio host, Scott did not push the envelope but bulldozed it.

Since his passing, millions of people to include family, friends, celebrities, professional sports figures, and even government officials such as Former US President Bill Clinton and President Barak Obama, have expressed their sadness over this great loss.

Commonly referred to as “Stu”, he did not just report on sports but provided viewers with pure entertainment. Forever, he will leave a legacy of being an exceptional anchor but also for his many catch-phrases such as “As cool as the other side of the pillow” and “Boo-ya”.

Throughout his long career, Stuart covered a wide range of professional and college sporting events to include the Super Bowl, the World’s Series, the NBA Finals, and the NCAA Final Four, among many others. However, for many, it was also Stuart’s love for inner city kids that earned him so much respect.

Over the years, Stuart worked hard to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help organizations in their quest to find a cure for cancer. In honor of such an amazing man, both players and fans throughout the country stopped for a moment of silence on Sunday.

Tiger Woods summed up the emotions surrounding Scott Stuart’s death best when he said, “Stuart was not covering champions and heroes – it was the other way around”.

There is no question that virtually everyone in the world of sports lost an inspirational person and genuine friend. Even while going through difficult chemotherapy treatments, he never quit, walking out of the hospital to get back to the ESPN set or participate in mixed martial arts training.

Stuart leaves behind 15 and 19-year old daughters, a supportive girlfriend, his parents, two sisters, and one brother who together have thanked the world for their outpouring of kindness and love.

Low-T Drugs Safe or Not?

January 3, 2015 By William Bland Leave a Comment

Low-T drugs are used as “Low Testosterone Replacement” therapy. Although these drugs are nothing new, they have come under some scrutiny from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is working to determine if the drugs are or are not safe.

Even though low-T drugs have FDA approval, there has been some concern raised regarding the safety based on two studies that showed these treatments increased the risk of heart problems.

In a press release, the FDA stated that FDA-approved low-T drugs used as testosterone treatment increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death. For that reason, patients are being advised to talk to their doctors about these concerns prior to stopping the prescribed medication. With that, doctors have the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons on a patient-by-patient basis.

As stated by the FDA, low-T drugs are approved only for testosterone therapy and in limited cases. These drugs are intended only for men that due to various medical conditions now have low testosterone levels. In addition, none of the low-T drugs available are to be used by men with low levels of testosterone who do not have a firm diagnosis of specific conditions under which the drugs were granted approval.

These conditions include a number of medical conditions whereby the testicles no longer produce testosterone, which includes problems associated with genetics, chemotherapy side effects, two particular brain structures, and issues with the pituitary and hypothalamus gland.

Normally, levels of testosterone fall between 300 and 900 nanograms per deciliter. According to Dr. Michael Eisenberg, urologist and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at California’s Stanford Hospital and Clinics, there is little evidence that proves men within these ranges would have any benefit from low-T drug therapy.

As far as benefits of low-T drugs, low levels of testosterone usually lead to problems relating to sexual function so in those instances, these medications are beneficial. In addition to more interest in sex, men have the ability to maintain an erection longer and orgasms are typically better. Along with normal sexual function, men often experience an improved level of confidence and self-worth.

There have also been a number of studies done that show men with low levels of testosterone typically have shortened lifespans so low-T drugs play a critical role in this area as well. These medications also strengthen bones, prevent osteoporosis, and some experts believe they aid in controlling blood sugar levels.

Along with a number of notable benefits, low-T drugs carry risks. For one thing, there are unique side effects that include enlarged breasts, the onset of acne, and sleep apnea. There is also risk for the development of blood clots. Additionally, if a female or child were to touch testosterone in the form of gel or cream, it could cause serious health problems such as premature puberty and extreme hair growth.

However, the biggest concern now being raised as to the safety of low-T drugs has to do with heart problems, as well as risk of prostate cancer. For the past 20 years, research has been ongoing to help identify a possible connection between testosterone replacement therapy and this form of cancer. While some medical experts feel strongly there is a link more research is needed to confirm the risk.

The bottom line is that low-T drugs offer benefits and risks. As to the drugs being safe, it is imperative for a man to talk to a reputable doctor so everything can be looked at in-depth and discussed. With this, the doctor and patient have the chance to address known risks and benefits, thereby determining if one outweighs the other.

Voice of “Babe”, Christine Cavanaugh Dead at 51

December 31, 2014 By William Bland Leave a Comment

Although Christine Cavanaugh has been a well-known voice actress for many years, most people remember her most for being the character “Babe” in the movie of the same name. Deionn Masock, Christine’s sister confirmed that she passed away on December 22 at the young age of 51.

An obituary was published in yesterday’s copy of the Los Angeles Times but the cause of death was not mentioned. The list of movies and television shows to which Christine lent her unmistaken voice is quite extensive. To her, each role allowed her give the audience a small look into her own life. She officially retired from acting back in 2001, at which time she moved back to Utah, her native state.

Christine was born in 1963 and with a distinctive voice, found her place behind the scenes. Some of her other notable roles include Dexter in “Dexter’s Laboratory”, Gosalyn Mallard in “Darkwing Ducks”, one of the three primary monsters in “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters”, and Chuckie Finster in “Rugrats”. Because of her incredible voice ability, she easily played both female and male roles.

She also lent her voice acting to shows like “The Critic”, “The Powerpuff Girls”, “Recess”, “Sonic the Hedgehog”, “Hercules: The Animated Series”, “101 Dalmatians: The Series”, and was an announcer for The Disney Channel.

Even though she achieved great success as the voice of “Babe”, when offered a sequel role in “Babe: Pig in the City”, she opted out, choosing other roles instead. Christine was also a guest star on numerous television shows like “Cheers”, “Wings”, “ER”, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, and “The X-Files:

With such great success, people were surprised when she suddenly left her acting behind to make the move to Utah where according to her, she wanted more quality family time.

Since her death was confirmed by her sister, other celebrities and fans alike have sent condolences throughout various social media sites, remembering not only her voice acting ability but also her kind and gentle spirit.

Ohio State Missing Player Found Dead

December 1, 2014 By Dustin Davis Leave a Comment

Ohio State University, just one day after a decisive victory over their arch rival Michigan, suffered a tragedy within the football program on Sunday, as missing Ohio State player, Kosta Karageorge. Karagoeorge went missing 4 days prior to being found in a trash bin by a mother and her son.

Karageorge had suffered a series of concussions recently, and as a result, his brain will be examined by the coroner who is currently performing the autopsy. Karageorge had been found to have died as a result of a gun shot wound, which is hypothesized to a self-inflicted wound.

Before Karageorge went missing, he sent the following text message to his family: “I am sorry if I am an embarrassment but these concussions have my head all f—– up.”

The tragedy has darkened what should’ve been a celebratory weekend in Columbus.

One of the biggest problems that this issue will raise within the NCAA is part of the concussion problems that recently ran rampant throughout the entire National Football League in recent years.

Depending on the findings of the autopsy and examination of Karageorge’s brain examination, the NCAA may also have to undergo a heavy review of their concussion policy, and the follow up care given to players who have suffered them in order to prevent another tragic situation like this from coming up.

While the coroner has yet to definitively make the statement that the injury was self inflicted, the ramifications of those findings could be far reaching, and have a major impact on the college football arena for years to come.

Not only would this have a major impact on college football, but will further reignite the concussion issue throughout all of football.

Concussion issues have plagued football over the recent years, and have been linked to the deaths of multiple former NFL players including former linebacker Junior Seau, and safety Dave Duerson.

Duerson and Seau both died of self inflicted gunshot wounds, but neither player damaged their brain in their suicides, and their brains were examined and found to have been damaged by multiple concussions.

Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta Dies at 82

October 21, 2014 By Sandy Morton Leave a Comment

World renowned fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta has passed away at the age of 82. In a handwritten statement from two company executives, Eliza Bolen and Alex Bolen, he died in his Connecticut home last night surrounded by family members, close friends, and his beloved dogs.

The statement went on to say that while de la Renta is gone, his spirit and intelligence remains the company’s core and that everything the company has done and will continue to do is driven by the designer’s values. The Bolens added that he was loved and every employee will work hard make him proud.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Oscar de la Renta dressed many famous Hollywood celebrities to include Sarah Jessica Parker, Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and others. He was also the obvious choice by first ladies like Nancy Reagan, Jackie Kennedy, Laura Bushy, Hilary Clinton, and Betty Ford. However, his fashions are also popular among everyday women.

Just last month, Oscar de la Renta designed the gorgeous wedding gown worn by Amal Alamuddin, George Clooney’s new wife. As stated by former first lady Laura Bush, his generous and warm personality, unrivaled talent, and charm will be greatly missed. He will always be remembered as a gifted fashion designer who made women look and feel beautiful.

Although Oscar de la Renta’s primary design aesthetic was evening gowns, he also created beautiful and chic daytime suits. While some of his designs were subtle, he often used vibrant colors and exquisite embroideries, influenced by his native country.

At age 18, de la Renta left home to study painting in Spain but within a short time, fashion became his true passion. After viewing some of his sketches, the wife of the US Ambassador to Spain asked if he would design a dress for her daughter. De la Renta complied and that very dress made the cover of Life Magazine.

With his impeccable work exposed to the world, de la Renta was offered an apprenticeship with Cristobal Balenciaga. Once completed, he moved to France where he began working for Lanvin, which creates couture designs. From there, he went to work for for Elizabeth Arden couture in New York in 1963 but just two years later, launched his own brand.

In addition to his beautiful fashion designs, de la Renta launched numerous perfumes, starting in 1977 with Oscar and more recently, his Rosamor fragrance. He was also a patron of the arts, serving on several boards to include The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall.

Oscar de la Renta also leaves a legacy of having a love for children. Much of his time was devoted to various charities such as New Yorkers for Children but he also funded multiple daycare centers and schools in Punta Cana and La Romana in his native Dominican Republic.

Oscar de la Renta is survived only by an adopted son, Moises, who currently works as a designer for the company.

Higher Infant Deaths Related to Couch Sleeping

October 14, 2014 By William Bland Leave a Comment

According to a new study, a significant number of sleep-related deaths among infants are related to sleeping on the couch. Researchers found that approximately one out of eight cases of sudden and sleep-related infant deaths happen on couches and in more than 50% of cases, while lying next to another person.

Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and one of the study’s authors stated the study was conducted due to a lack of data pertaining to factors of sleep-related infant deaths on couches.

Data on 7,934 sleep-related infant deaths, those 12 months or younger, was gathered between 2004 and 2012 from 24 states. After conducting an in-depth analysis, it was discovered that 12% of those deaths occurred while the baby was asleep on a couch.

In addition, when compared to other sleep-related deaths, those involving a couch were 20% more likely to have an unclear cause of death while 90% were more likely to have a classification of suffocation. The study also showed that most of the babies who died had never slept on a couch before or only on a few occasions.

Colvin added that in the data analyzed, the couch was not the usual sleeping location for the infants, which indicates the couch was used as a place for the baby to nap rather than sleep overnight. Also, the majority of infants were found on their side, which as written in the journal Pediatrics, researchers believe the natural slope of couches allowed the babies to roll easily and then become wedged between cushions.

Another interesting discovery was that most babies who died while sleeping on couches were also exposed to tobacco while still in the mother’s womb. However, the connection between sleep-related deaths for babies on couches and smoking is hard to explain, according to Dr. Colvin.

Overall, parents need to heed the warning that comes from this study – the couch can be a very dangerous and even deadly place for babies to sleep. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that infants be placed on a flat and firm surface, opposed to the soft cushions of a couch. As Colvin puts it, parents should follow the ABCs of safe sleeping – “Alone on their Backs in Cribs”.

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