Man hospitalized in life-threatening condition after incident at Calgary pub holding eating contest
Calgary paramedics took a man to hospital in life-threatening condition on Saturday after an incident at the Ship and Anchor pub.
Paramedics were called to the bar, located in the 500 block of 17 Avenue S.W., at 6 p.m. for reports of a man in medical distress.
Medics were told there was an Oktoberfest-themed eating contest going on, but say they were not able to determine if that is what led to the medical incident.
Attendees said it included eating bratwurst on a bun, and said the man taken to hospital had been a participant.
The Ship and Anchor closed its doors for the night after paramedics left.
In a statement shared to social media, the bar said a customer suffered a serious medical event which was traumatizing for everyone involved.
"As a result, we have decided to shut the pub for the remainder of the evening."
The bar reopened on Sunday morning.
A manager who spoke with CTV News says they're supporting both staff and patrons who were impacted by the incident.
He confirmed the man is a regular at the bar, and said staff are waiting to hear an update on his condition from his family.
In a statement sent to CTV News, Nicola Trolez, a member of the management group, said:
"His status is uncertain to us as we have not had an update from the hospital or his family. As long as that is case, we do not think it appropriate to comment on the situation, however, it is becoming a concern to us that there is much unfounded speculation as to what occurred and that this has the potential to be upsetting to those closest to the incident.
"Accordingly, we have decided to pass on information which has been reported to us in an effort to limit the speculation, even though we have not had medical verification from official sources. This has been gathered from staff and customers on site as well as those with some direct knowledge of the situation:
"When the incident occurred, two individuals with medical experience quickly stepped in and performed CPR. The paramedics arrived quickly, resuscitated the man and took him to ICU. They indicated to our "manager that there was no indication of choking and suspected a heart related event. As to his current condition, we know only that he remains in hospital."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Life expectancy for Canadians fell in 2022 for third year in a row, says StatCan
Life expectancy for Canadians decreased for the third straight year in 2022, and more people died of COVID-19 than in any other year since the pandemic began, according to a report released Monday.
Israel and Hamas extend their truce, but it seems only a matter of time before the war resumes
A truce between Israel and Hamas entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with the militant group promising to release more civilian hostages to delay the expected resumption of the war and Israel under growing pressure to spare Palestinian civilians when the fighting resumes.
Mother of 2 and 4 exchange students identified as victims killed in crash in Huntsville, Ont.
The woman killed in a head-on collision in Huntsville over the weekend that also claimed the lives of four teenagers has been identified.
How Western Canada's sugar shortage is affecting bakeries, chocolatiers
Amid an ongoing strike at Western Canada's largest sugar refinery, bakery owners and chocolatiers are finding it hard to locate the amounts of sugar they need to keep their businesses going as we head into the holiday season.
Thick fog likely caused a roughly 30-vehicle collision on an Idaho interstate, police say
A thick layer of fog is believed to have caused a roughly 30-vehicle collision on an Idaho interstate, state police said. The collision occurred Monday morning on eastbound Interstate 86, near milepost 56, west of Pocatello, near the Pocatello Regional Airport.
Six teens in court in connection with beheading of French teacher
Six teenagers go on trial behind closed doors on Monday in connection with the beheading of French history teacher Samuel Paty in 2020, a murder that shocked the country.
B.C. boy dies by suicide after online sextortion: RCMP
Mounties in northern British Columbia are investigating after a 12-year-old boy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an apparent case of online sextortion. Warning: This story is about a child who died by suicide and may be distrubing to readers.
Man who pleaded guilty in incel-inspired murder at Toronto spa to be sentenced today
A man who pleaded guilty to the incel-inspired murder of a Toronto massage parlour employee is expected to be sentenced today.
Elevator drops 200 metres at a platinum mine in South Africa, killing 11 workers and injuring 75
An elevator suddenly dropped around 200 metres (656 feet) while carrying workers to the surface in a platinum mine in South Africa, killing 11 and injuring 75, the mine operator said Tuesday.