Cops save David Lee Roth’s life after he nearly dies from a nut

I have often said that Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth and I have a lot in common. The hair, the crazy outfits, the propensity to scream lyrics and be a bit of a diva. And a severe, severe, nut allergy. Okay only one of those things is true – I’ll let you all figure out what’s what.

David was driving along one fine June day and somehow came in contact with a nut. Now as a person who shares this severe and frequently fatal allergy, I can tell you for a fact that most of us are absolute… well nuts… about making sure none of those crunchy little devils are within 100 yards of us. So how a nut product got into his car I can’t imagine. Yet those things always seem to happen. If you can’t have any, somehow it’ll end up being the 33rd ingredient in your shampoo, or a bird will crap on your car, and that bird just happened to eat some walnuts a few minutes earlier, and somehow the fumes waft in through the windows and you can’t breathe… okay this isn’t about me. Not entirely, anyway.

Two Ontario police officers have been credited with saving the life of Van Halen singer David Lee Roth – after he suffered a severe allergic reaction. The rocker was pulled over on a stretch of highway in Oakland, Ontario on June 8 for speeding, and when cops approached the vehicle, they realized the star was in anaphylactic shock.

Roth has an allergy to nuts and was suffering a severe reaction after coming into contact with a contaminated substance. The officers called an ambulance and kept Roth calm until paramedics arrived on the scene, according to CTV.ca.

Constable Chris Thompson admits he didn’t realize that he was dealing with a famous rock star when he attended to the crisis.

He says, “At the time I wasn’t star struck, I was just trying to help him. The guy stuck out like a sore thumb. He was wearing a little silk scarf and flashy clothing – it’s not something you see in Oakland too often.”

[From Canoe]

I wonder if Roth was speeding because he was panicking and was trying to get to the hospital or was speeding on purpose to try to attract attention. Either way, he’s really lucky there were some attentive cops nearby.

People with any kind of allergy that can lead to anaphylaxis (other food allergies, bee stings, etc) are supposed to carry an epi-pen with them at all times. But I can guarantee you that doesn’t happen, because they’re big, cumbersome, and expire after 6 months. David Lee Roth is one lucky dude. Hopefully he figured out what it was that set of his reaction, and lit it on fire or something. Or buried it. Or shot it to the moon. Anything to keep those bastards far away.

Here’s David Lee Roth at the Mercedes-Benz Fall 2008 Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, CA on March 11th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

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11 Responses to “Cops save David Lee Roth’s life after he nearly dies from a nut”

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  1. xiaoecho says:

    O.K. – I’m confused

    The article said:..The rocker was pulled over on a stretch of highway in Oakland, Ontario on June 8 for speeding, and when cops approached the vehicle, they realized the star was in anaphylactic shock…….

    And then you said:….I couldn’t find any reports on what made the officers pull Roth over in the first place.

    What did I miss?

    Too bad about your allergy —Do you have to carry an Epi-pen? (if that’s how you spell it)

    and what is upn with his smile – aren’t you supposed to show mostly your top teeth?

  2. Shane says:

    Roth baffles me. One of the biggest sex symbols in the history of rock and roll 25 years ago, supposedly a real ladies man.

    Now gay as a three headed nickel. How? Why?

    • M says:

      Ever think he always was gay or bisexual? A lot of people in the arts do happen to bat for the other team.
      Seems these attractive gay men (some) can pass for straight when they are young…. I find as they age they appear to look more gay in their faces. David Lee definitely looks gay now.

  3. madge says:

    Better yet……he is a trained and certified NYC Paramedic. Talk about someone who should have known better, and should have been able to diagnose and treat himself. Bad omen maybe..

  4. vdantev says:

    Wow, super-allergic to nuts. It’s not unheard of. I have a friend whose the same way. A particle of nut dust and he’s having an asthma attack x10.

  5. Unchained says:

    “Talk about someone who should have known better, and should have been able to diagnose and treat himself.”

    As the article says “after coming into contact with a contaminated substance” … It doesn’t say he ate a nut. Maybe he did diagnose himself and was speeding to a hospital to get treated. 😉

    “Roth baffles me. One of the biggest sex symbols in the history of rock and roll 25 years ago, supposedly a real ladies man.

    Now gay as a three headed nickel. How? Why?”

    Who said that? ❓ The guy has always been effeminate, I just think him loosing his youth (and more testosterone) has made it more prevalent. 😯

  6. Blackalicious says:

    Never heard of him being gay..where was that written?

    And he looks more like an old Jewish retiree in Dade County now.. just slap some plaid pants and white shoes on him.

  7. stellapurdy says:

    When did Roth turn into Niles Crane?

  8. drm says:

    Remember Roth in the videos for ‘Jump’ ect? Phwoar! Got some great fantasies out of that one (my husband is going “what???? really???? DAVID LEE ROTH???!!!???”) 😉

  9. Mummy says:

    I agree – 80’s, Jump video, phwoarrrrr!! He was soooo sexy, you could just imagine he was a firecracker in bed.

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