A MUM collapsed and died after taking part in a marshmallow eating competition for a charity event, an inquest heard.
Natalie Buss, 37, had joined others on stage for the game, which had been organised by entertainer Christopher Gibbons – known as “Roly-Poly”.
An inquest heard contestants were given 60 seconds to see who could fit the “most marshmallows into their mouths”.
The mum-of-two then left the stage at Beddau Rugby Club, near Pontypridd in Wales, and collapsed in a crowded corridor.
Horrified audience members – including an off-duty nurse – tried to help Natalie before paramedics arrived and took over CPR.
Tragically the mum couldn’t be saved and was declared dead shortly after.
Pontypridd Coroners’ Court heard Christopher had been asked to help organise the fundraising night in 2023.
He was working as compere when Natalie, whose son played for the rugby club’s junior team, was called on stage for the competition.
Friends and family cheered on from the audience as participants swallowed handfuls of marshmallows.
Christopher, who has been an entertainer for 15 years, has “decided to stop introducing the game to people” following the tragedy, the inquest heard.
He has been interviewed by police and will give evidence to a jury when the full inquest is held.
Coroner Gavin Knox said the hearing would “focus on risk assessment and risk mitigation relating to the game”.
He also said it would assess what happened while Natalie played, as well as a cause of death and the “appropriateness” of the entertainment provided at the club.
Inquests with a jury are sometimes called when a person’s death could be considered “suspicious, contentious, or have wider ramifications for the public.”
Natalie’s husband Elliott, two paramedics and her GP will be called to give evidence alongside entertainer Christopher.
A full inquest will not be held for at least six months due to a backlog.
Tributes flooded in for Natalie, who worked as an accountant for finance firm UHY Hacker Young alongside her husband, following the tragedy.
Beddau RFC said: “The club and the Beddau community are heartbroken. On Saturday night we lost a very dear friend who will be sadly missed.
“Everybody associated with Beddau RFC and within the community are nothing less than devastated at the weekend’s tragic accident and we struggle to comprehend the sense of loss people are feeling.
“That said we must acknowledge that our loss pales into insignificance in comparison to the loss of a lady who was a wonderful wife, mother, and daughter to what was an absolutely tragic turn of events.
“As a club we send out our sincerest, heartfelt condolences to all the family, the close friends, and to all those that this has so badly impacted.”
The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into Natalie’s death.
