Roach-eating contest ends with death of competitor

A CONTESTANT in a cockroach-eating competition collapsed and died after swallowing dozens of live bugs to win the grand prize of an $850 (£530) python.

Edward Archbold, 32, bragged on Facebook that he had won an early heat of the contest at the Ben Siegel Reptile Store in Deerfield Beach, Florida, but died two hours later after the main event, police revealed yesterday.

“So I nailed qualifying. The quota was ten roaches in 30 seconds … I did eight and the two my competitor vomited next to me,” Mr Archbold reported at 8:59pm on Friday.

But he left the shop to be sick and was rushed to hospital after collapsing outside at 11pm. ­Results of a post-mortem examination are pending.