US

Woman Sits Next to Boyfriend for Nine Hours After He Chokes to Death on Plane Food During 11-Hour Flight

Woman Sits Next To Dead Boyfriend For 9 Hours After He Chokes To Death On FlightWe’ve all had bad flights, but likely nothing like this.

Vanessa Preechakul was flying with her boyfriend Robert Rippingale to his native Auckland from Singapore when an hour and a half into the flight Jetstar stewardesses began serving dinner. Midway through the beef dish Ms.Preechakul began to notice her boyfriend shaking, originally thinking he was only laughing very hard. When the shaking continued she looked up to see Mr. Rippingale’s eyes rolled back and lips turning purple. The Sun reports on the terrible flight:

“‘His lips were turning purple. One minute we were sitting next to each other kissing, holding hands and the next minute he was choking.’

A doctor and two nurses on the Jetstar Airlines flight from Singapore to Auckland battled to save the 31-year-old New Zealander but he was pronounced dead 90 minutes into the 11-hour journey.

Flight attendants moved his body into a curtained crew rest area but heartbroken Vanessa asked to sit next to him for the rest of the flight.”

Miss Preechakukl told the New Zealand Herald that she and Mr Rippingale had met in Singapore, where he had lived and worked for three years. The Daily Mail reports that Mr Andrew McGinnes, a spokesman for Jetstar, expressed his condolences to the family and thanked the doctor and nurses who had tried to save Mr Rippingale.

Comments (111)

1 2
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:51am

    What a horrible story.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:41am

    Be careful and chew your food Chick Filet had a choking incident in our are a 7 year old choked fortunate for him they were able to get the nugget out but it is scary.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • Cosmos102
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:11am

    I have choked before… on an aspirin. I can tell you exactly what it feels like. You can’t breath, or talk. Panic overtakes you. What you can do right away is signal that you are choking by using your hands to gesture around your throat. (Universal sign for choking). If that fails, stand up and try to give yourself the Heimlich Maneuver which is to give quick, sharp compression to your diaphragm, right beneath your rib cage. Don’t laugh. It worked for me. The aspirin shot out of my mouth like a bullet. Something less compact like a fish bone, for example, may require a finger down the throat. The gag reflex may kick in and help dislodge it. This guy wasn’t alone, so a plane full of passengers may have been able to assist him with the Heimlich Maneuver had he just made it known to everyone that he was choking and needed help.

    Report Post » Cosmos102  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:57am

      I experienced the same thing with a piece of steak. It was eye opening to how people don’t understand what you are experiencing. I did the manuver on myself on a chair. Still people in the room did not understand util I could speak. Universal sign? I don’t think so….No one understood it.

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:23am

      @Cosmos102

      I had a similar reaction as yours the morning I woke up to find that Obama was the elected President of our once great nation.

      Still get a bad reaction when I think about it, and generally results in bad gas.

      Report Post » rangerp  
  • TEXASGRANNY73
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:41am

    @LIBERALMEDIADROPPEDBALLON911
    Can’t read who wrote the article? Why are you on the Blaze? Not a self learner,are you?
    Chew Chew Chew and Heimlich manuever.
    You are stupid #1 WRS40 is stupid #2
    @SF49er How pray tell would you get from Singapore to New Zealand? Swim?
    @MickGringo No empathy or sympathy? No man is an island…
    @Thrillbiscuit You are so right..bad opening and lack of human respect is rampant on the Blaze
    and mostly written by Real Men (they will tell you who they are by their equally dumb jokes).

    Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:31am

      Wow! 5 slams in one post. Must be a record.

      Report Post »  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 3:16am

      @TexasGranny73

      I don’t have a thing to add…… You said it all…. Thanks.

      I really am sorry for the girl and the guys family. But I too wonder how with so many people around
      him that this happened. He obviously did not use the choking sign. That is very important.

      Report Post »  
    • mickgringo
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:07am

      Tom Hanks in “Castaway”……. Great movie, although you are correct. He was not an “island”’ he was the “castaway”. And he wasn’t alone (isn’t that right, Wilson?). Now, can somebody please fetch me another White Russian?

      Report Post » mickgringo  
    • Liberal Media Dropped Ball On Nine-Eleven
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 4:15pm

      SEXLESSGRANNY73,

      This article is written with heartless dribble! The Blaze has gone to hell since Glenn left Fox! The writing is terrible and the Blaze caters not to Conservatives like me, but to bigoted, insensitive morons like you who think they are Conservatives!

      The Blaze needs to step up their game. You need to step off a flying plane without a parachute, so shut up!

      If I’m Stupid Idiot #1, then you are Stupid Idiot 1st!

      Report Post » Liberal Media Dropped Ball On Nine-Eleven  
  • JustPeachy
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:38am

    Very sad and sorry to hear it. May the girlfriend and this man’s family find some peace.

    Report Post » JustPeachy  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:25am

    The guy died in flight. Very sad. Why all the b.s. from my “fellow” posters? Could be you have no heart?

    Report Post »  
  • Akscooch
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:07am

    Van Jones wrote it, I’m sure of it.

    Report Post »  
  • WhoIsTheCoon
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:06am

    In other news about 12 million people died globally at the same time as this guy. Can we get each and every one of their stories too?

    What about a story on August being the deadliest month in Afghanistan war? Oh, that isn’t important enough. This fat guy huffing down a nasty beef dish from an airplane tho… THAT’S A STORY!

    Report Post »  
    • savagemonger
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:17am

      How did she think is was laughing? What an idiot.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • ruben
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:43am

      It is absolutely tragic, tragic, that your precious sensibilities are subjected to such horrors as being presented with distasteful stories that don’t titillate your imagination. Do you believe that your existence is so limited that you must be provided with entertainment and stories that please? It is the destiny of mankind to act and not be acted upon. To fail to achieve that destiny is a failure to meet the purpose of your existence. In the mean time, while you trample the preceding pearls under your feet, might I request that you respect humankind and do something, anything, to increase your recognition of the value of each life.

      Report Post »  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:44am

      @savagemonger

      You ever been next to a person choking? The choking person is panicking. He can’t communicate. His girlfriend has no idea and can’t comprehend. The fact that she stayed with his body the rest of the flight shows her grief. Don’t be so quick to call others idiots.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Darren
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:53am

      Whois;

      Most people I know will fly in their lifetime. They will not, however, fight in Afghanistan.

      May Rippingale rest in peace.

      Also, God bless all those who fight in Afghanistan and all our wars.

      Report Post » Darren  
    • Firebrand
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:00am

      I don’t think it was that he died, but that she sat next to him for 9 hours after he died. I read the story, so obviously it was an interesting story. Don’t you feel anything for the girl? How horribly tragic did that have to be? You’re right though. You weren’t entertained, so it’s not important…

      Report Post » Firebrand  
  • rienheart
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:06am

    Your free not to read anything you don’t want to. Exercise that right.

    Report Post »  
  • jp2feminist
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:59pm

    No one has commented yet that it might have been extremely difficult to get to this guy to administer the Heimlich Maneuver in that narrow space they pack you in on an airplane. Had he been on the ground, it might have turned out differently. Very sad.

    Report Post » jp2feminist  
    • greensteam
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:17am

      well it sounds like they didnt know he choked until after he died. it didnt specify how they tried to revive him. i would assume they tried cpr instead. if she only saw him shaking, until his eyes rolled back in his head than he may not have appeared to be choking from her perspective.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:50am

      Based on the picture, it appears as though he has a rather large head. He might be up near 300 pounds or so. Tough to do the HM on a guy that big if you are little and skinny and too busy texting or video recording the event.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:49pm

    RIP now, you are one with the Lord.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:55am

      You got it Snow. When your name is called, you gotta go.

      Report Post »  
  • wrs840
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:37pm

    Were it not for The Blaze, you would have never heard of this porker who choked and croaked. It happens. Condolences to his loved ones, but this is a pretty stupid thing to waste bandwidth on.

    Report Post »  
    • Tretka
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:44pm

      You have a scroll option with your mouse. You have a choice of many different websites. But you can not chose what the Blaze decides to write about. I am not sure if you have heard of choice yet, but you have it when it comes to reading news and information.

      Report Post » Tretka  
    • Liberal Media Dropped Ball On Nine-Eleven
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:48pm

      Wrs840,

      You are Stupid idiot #1!

      Report Post » Liberal Media Dropped Ball On Nine-Eleven  
    • wrs840
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:34am

      I‘m not sure how to argue with a such a compelling case as this you’ve proposed. Good job.

      …And I’m humbled, but you’ll always be #1 to me.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:22pm

      And when you own your own blog, then and only then can you decide what is posted or not posted. Until that happens if you don’t like a story, then don’t respond, just move along and respond to something that interests you.

      Isn’t that what you Liberal hacks tell the conservatives to do (turn the channel) when sexual scenes or two gays kissing on screen appear.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:10pm

    What a horrible way to go .You just never know………RIP

    Report Post »  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:03pm

    Very sad indeed…. But it absolutely amazes me the trust people put in others hands to take them 40,000 feet in the air for 9 hours just to get from A to B….. Don’t you people understand what can happen to you in that time with no way out. You know if you don‘t complicate your lives so much you wouldn’t even have to get on the darn things. The key is to keep your family and job close to you so you don’t have to risk your lives so much. Duh. Never understood why people put themselves in so much danger just to travel…

    Report Post »  
    • TripleDs
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:15pm

      @SFSUPER49ER – Don’t be ridiculous. People fly for all sorts of reasons and more people die in car accidents where they or someone they know are likely to have 100% control.

      Report Post » TripleDs  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:19pm

      Are you suggesting that people only choke on the ground and always in the presence of someone who knows what to do? pfff-

      If not, why in the heck does it matter if this guy was on a plane, a train, a boat, or a goat? He could have been at home alone and the result would still be the same.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • woodyb
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:36pm

      Yes, TRIPLEDS, and I remember reading some time back that MOST (that is somewhere over 50%) of auto accidents happen within 50 miles of the driver’s home!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:02pm

    Are you saved? If you were to die during your next flight, would you go to Heaven?

    http://www.PeaceWithGod.Jesus.Net

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:58pm

    Stewardess; Sir would you care for some Grey Poupon?
    Mr. Rippingale; Starts shaking violently, grabbing his throat with his hands, eyes rolling up in his head.
    Stewardess; Oh I see, well perhaps some ketchup instead?
    Mr. Rippingale; lips are turning purple, food is starting to spray from his mouth
    Stewardess;A napkin perhaps? Would you like to see the dessert menu Sir?
    Mr Rippingale; making gurgling sounds, slumping over in his chair
    Stewardess: I see you are tired, I’ll get you a blanket as she props a pillow under his head.
    Girlfriend; Isn’t she nice! nighty night dear.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:58pm

    I like how the first word in the headline is “tragic”, yet the opening line of the article is a bad pun.

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • Mountain Dew
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:44pm

    Heimlich Manuever (I’m sure I spelled that wrong)? I suppose it was tried with medical workers on board but no mention of it. It must of been quite the piece of beef if it couldn’t be dislodged. What a way to go.

    Report Post »  
    • jb.kibs
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:23pm

      yeah.. i dont get how noone tried to dislodge it… no mention of that..

      Report Post »  
  • mickgringo
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:42pm

    Katy-Dolt……

    Really? Sometimes it’s just your time and no amount of medi-sparking or lawyering is going to change that. Let go of this insane desire to litigate…….. Sounds like a good time to celebrate the life and times of Mr. Rippingale. Pass the White Russian and hold the Stroganoff! Cheers to you Mr. Rippingale, and Ms. Preechakul…. What an interesting way to go.

    Report Post » mickgringo  
  • Freedombeliever
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:35pm

    For heavens sake guys. This is just a simply and incredibly sad story. I feel just awful for his girlfriend and his family. Yeah the article was a bit tacky to start but the main point here is a sad death. May he rest in peace…

    Report Post » Freedombeliever  
  • CarolinaGirl
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:32pm

    Tracheotomy using a knife and a straw.

    Report Post » CarolinaGirl  
  • Thrill Biscuit
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:30pm

    How tastelessly written! This shows the lack of respect for human life that has become so ‘taken-for-granted’ in modern society. To open this article up with a joke about bad meals is just… dumb.

    Report Post » Thrill Biscuit  
    • willnotbackdown
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 11:06am

      Some of us feal we need to laugh about situations like this or we would cry, so maybe you line of reasoning about thiers is out of line.

      Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:26pm

    Why did they not return to Singapore???

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • corbecket
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:24pm

      “Why did they not return to Singapore???”

      Well, he was already dead. An additional concern, and this depends on the aircraft, they may have been well above max landing weight. Not all aircraft have fuel dumping capability, so they have to fly around a bit to burn down to max landing weight.

      Again, in this case it didn’t matter since dead…..is dead. Returning to SIN would not have changed his status. Death happens aboard quite commonly, and aboard a trans-oceanic flight is not the most convenient place for it to occur. While it was extremely inconvenient for the victim, a return would not have accomplished anything. It would have been for no good purpose.

      Report Post » corbecket  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:25pm

      I guess because the Doctor had pronounced him dead already and they didn’t want to dump the 9 1/2 hours of Jet Fuel left in the tanks that would have to be dumped to land the plane safely. Maybe they were flying over a populated area and didn’t want to dump the fuel on a populated area. I just don’t know why but these are a few things to take into consideration.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • epmonroe
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:14pm

    A man dies and you start the story with “We’ve all had bad in-flight meals, but likely nothing like this.”?
    Not cool.

    Report Post » epmonroe  
  • katy
    Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:10pm

    Doc’s and nurses on board and no one thought to give they guy a traceotomy ? That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Even I could do that much!!! This makes no sense. Fishy if you ask me!

    Report Post »  
    • grungewehr39
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:22pm

      No, it said they served a beef dish.

      Report Post »  
    • jakebob
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:22pm

      With what ? One of the plastic spoons they give you with your meal.

      Report Post »  
    • Pink Elephant
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:26pm

      Katy,

      Maybe they were not allowed to bring a sharp instrument on-board? They were likely just everyday passengers who ‘happened’ to be in the medical field. Could you have done a Tracheotomy with a spork?

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:47pm

      You have been watching to much TV. There are no sharp instruments on planes any more. Furthermore lawsuits WTF are you talking about.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • katy
      Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:57pm

      I was a flight attendant for 15 years. There is always a medical kit in the cockpit which in fact has a scalpel. This kind of thing has been done before. I do know of what I speak. I just didn’t spell tracheotomy correctly.

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 7:59am

      I’m …

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:33am

      You do not know the details. He may have had a cardiac arrest before he could be resuscitated. Unfortunately not every emergency has a good outcome. A little humility may suit you.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • katy
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 11:27am

      Hey HYPNOS,

      There is also a defibrillator on board every commercial airplane in the US. If he did have a heart attack, they could have helped him there too.
      Your initial comment to me got SQUASHED by the facts and now you’re just pissed off. LOL!!!!
      Regardless of your stupidity and ignorance…. I think this man was seriously under served by all parties and it’s a damn shame.

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:18pm

      I am not pissed off. I am just saying that you do not know the whole story. You speak like a fool. You have know idea what went on. They may have done everything just right without success. This is a tragic event even the girlfriend was quoted thanking everyone involved. Your lucky there were brave doctors and nurses coming forward despite the litiginious world we live in.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Also Katy let me know what airline you work for so I can avoid it.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • katy
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Hey HYPNOS,

      I suggest you fly JetStar next time you travel… May I recommend the “beef dish”. ;o)

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:54pm

      You sound like an angry elf. AMF Katy. I really feel for co workers. So sad

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • katy
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:14pm

      HYPNOS,

      My co-workers loved me as well as my passengers. I was always cordial and friendly, funny, yet professional. The one things I did well was put little rug rats like you in their place…but always with a smile and usually with the help of other passengers who found annoying little twits like you a disturbing trend that must always be expected.
      Learn from your mistakes and move on gracefully little one. Character matters. Consider this a lesson learned. I forgive you…

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:38pm

      I’m guessing by your tone that you are delusional a liar or both. Better ask for forgiveness first.

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • katy
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:13pm

      I’m going to miss this thread when it gets bumped down… you are a delight.
      Always be nice to the people who serve your food and save your a$$ from on an on board emergency. You never know what may end up in your Chicken Dijon… ;o) We always had special remedies for “special” passengers.. ;o)

      Report Post »  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:09pm

      So now you hope I choke or get poisoned on airline food. You truly are a psychopath

      Report Post » hypnos  
    • hypnos
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:22pm

      I’m sure you will spew some more bullsh&t and get the last word in. As the old saying goes it does no good to wrestle with a pig you get dirty and the pig likes it. Time to take shower and get the smell off.

      Report Post » hypnos  
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