When a Slice of Watermelon Turns Into a Fatal Glitch
What Really Happened
Mr. Kline George Verney, a 65‑year‑old hospital patient, tragically lost his life after watermelon pieces managed to block his airway. It all began on the evening of January 26th last year, when he was served a normal dinner—including watermelon—while he was bed‑bound and reportedly eating fast.
The Medical Misstep
- On November 28, 2016, he was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) with a head injury from a fall.
- The staff placed him on an “easy chew” diet because he had “no teeth” according to the nurse’s notes.
- In reality, Mr. Verney did have a full set of teeth—as confirmed by the nurse on December 6. He even bragged that they were his own.
- Despite being under‑weight, a dietitian later suggested switching him back to a regular diet if no clinical fence‑post laughed.
- Watermelon is normally served in modest bits to patients on regular diets, but it seems the “easy chew” label persisted.
- No doctors or speech therapists left a record that he needed special instructions.
- Some colleagues recall smelling him chewing with dentures, adding to the confusion.
The Fatal Night
At around 6 pm, Mr. Verney was found unconscious after swallowing a few pieces of watermelon. The nurse tried to retrieve three sizable watermelon chunks—about 3 cm long and 1.5 cm thick—using a pair of forceps. Unfortunately, a second batch, along with rice grains, were still lodged in his vocal cords.
Coroner’s Verdict
State Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam ruled the death an unfortunate misadventure, citing acute airway obstruction by a foreign body. An autopsy revealed rice lumps almost seating in his main bronchi.
Why We Need Clear Diet Orders
This case underscores how a mislabeling or miscommunication can turn a simple meal into a life‑threatening ordeal. Hospital staff must check patient diets routinely, confirm dental status, and document any special needs—especially when patients have a tendency to gulp down food.
Let’s learn that a watermelon slice is fine when the patient is ready, but if you’re unprepared (literally), it can be fatal.
