Airplane related deaths & American professional wrestling

     Flying in an airplane is convenient, fast, economic, and relatively safe.  Worldwide millions of people fly daily. (1)  American professional wrestlers are required to perform in different cities throughout the world.  Over the years a number of wrestlers have been involved in fatal airplane crashes.

Bobby Shane

     On February 20, 1975 an airplane went down near Tampa, Florida killing wrestler Robert  Schoenberger (Bobby Shane).  Following a card held at the Miami Beach Auditorium on February 19, Schoenberger got on a plane piloted by fellow wrestler Ronald Reed (Buddy Colt).  Also on the plane were Gary Williams (Gary Hart) and Mike McCord (Austin Idol).  The plane was destined for Tampa, Florida, but was diverted to Davis Island in Hillsboro Bay due to bad weather.  During the descent the plane landed in the waters of Hillsboro Bay at approximately 1:30 am.  All survived except Schoenberger.  (2)

     A plane carrying promoter David Crockett and wrestlers Richard Fliehr (Ric Flair), John Wisniski (Johnny Valentine), George Woodin (Tim Woods/Mr. Wrestling), and Bob Bruggers left Charlotte headed for Wilmington, North Carolina on October 4, 1975.  The plane ran out of gas and crashed before reaching the Wilmington airport.  All were hospitalized with serious injuries.  Pilot Michael Farkas would eventually die from the injuries.  While the rest survived, Valentine and Bruggers never wrestled again. (3)  

     Six professional wrestlers died while doing a United Services Organization tour for Allied troops when the plan they were traveling in went down in France on March 3, 1945.  The deceased were Benny Reuben, Harold Sabath, George Mack, Gaius Young, Lester Chapman, and George Ross. (4) 

     
     Joseph Lyman, a professional wrestler who achieved success in the Pacific Northwest, died on September 25, 1948 when the plane he was piloting crashed.  Lyman left Boise, Idaho and his plane went down near Bend, Oregon.  He was booked to wrestle in Eugene. (5)  


 




References:

1. http://www.airlinetraveladvice.com/fear.shtml.
2. http://square.phpwebhosting.com/~man1000/articles/BobbyShaneBio2.php.
3. http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingFlair/planecrash-can.html.
4. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/10/1301210.html.
5. http://wrestlingclassics.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php. 

Photographs are for illustrative purposes only.  Wrestling with Death does not claim ownership.

Bruno Sammartino has heart surgery

On June 28th, 2011 Sal Corrente issued the following statement:

"We want to address any rumors regarding Bruno Sammartino and his current health situation. If you have read Bruno's Auto Biography you are aware that he had Rheumatic Fever as a child that caused damage to the valves in his heart. He was very sick for three plus years and came very close to dying as a child.. It clearly didn't affect him for many years he grew strong and had great stamina in the ring. It was recently discovered that the valves had detriorated and had to be replaced immediately. He has had the surgery and began a rehabilitation process that should last around three months. I have been told that Bruno's doctor's expect a full recovery and he should have the heart of a forty year old man when the rehab is complete."

Bruno Sammartino

     Acute rheumatic fever is a delayed complication of a Group A Streptococcal infection involving the tonsils/pharynx.  Features of the initial bacterial infection include the sudden onset of sore throat, pus on the tonsils, tender lymph nodes in the neck, and fever.  Cough and significant nasal drainage are usually absent.  The infection is commonly referred to as "strep throat".  Prompt recognition of the infection and treatment with appropriate antibiotics are important.  Timely therapy has been shown to reduce the duration of the illness, prevent transmission to others, and decrease the likelihood of developing delayed complications including rheumatic fever.  (1, 2)  Some of the potential complications of Group A Streptococcal infection are listed in Table 1.

Table 1

• Acute rheumatic fever
• Scarlet fever
• Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
• Acute glomerulonephritis
• PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder associated with group A Streptococci)

     Acute rheumatic fever typically occurs 2 to 4 weeks after the Group A Streptococcal infection.  It most commonly develops in children ages 5 to 15 years old.  It is rare to see in younger children and adults.  A major manifestation of acute rheumatic fever is a severe inflammation of the heart.  This can involve all components of the heart including the muscle, valves, and sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium).  The major and minor manifestations of rheumatic fever are listed in Table 2.  (3)

Table 2

Major manifestations:

• Migratory arthritis (predominantly involving the large joints)
• Carditis and valvulitis (eg, pancarditis)
• Central nervous system involvement (eg, Sydenham chorea)
• Erythema marginatum
• Subcutaneous nodules

Minor manifestations:

• Arthralgia
• Fever
• Elevated acute phase reactants [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)]
• Prolonged PR interval on the EKG

     Rheumatic heart disease is the most severe complication of acute rheumatic fever.  It usually occurs 10 to 20 years after the original illness. The mitral valve is more commonly involved than the aortic valve. Mitral stenosis, caused by severe calcification of the mitral valve, is the classic finding in rheumatic heart disease.  As the valve disease progresses a person can experience a wide variety of problems including shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, and even congestive heart failure.  Once the valve disease is moderate to severe surgery is usually required.

Specific details about Sammartino's health have not been released.  It is unknown how long he was having symptoms, and what valve was involved.



References.

1. J Pediatr. 1985;106(6):870.
2. J Pediatr. 1978;92(2):325.
3. JAMA. 1992;268(15):2069.  

The medical resource www.uptodate.com was used in the preparation  of this blog.  Photographs are for illustrative purposes only.  Wrestling with Death does not claim ownership.