Sad story, what a horrible way to go. But it also serves as a good reminder that life and survival never ought to be taken for granted. One bad choice, simple error or coincidence, maybe just a little 'brain fart' and you could easily end up in a world of hurt. No amount of preparedness can eliminate that sort of risk entirely, it happens to the best of us.

I suppose there is another lesson to be learned there, too. As long as you're in good health, physically fit and mentally up to the challenge you may afford to tough it out and muscle your way through almost anything. But once you are 79 and diabetic, your options decrease radically if something turns wrong.