Prominent NBC journalist dies in Iraq

CNN ^ | April 6, 2003

[Scoop]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- David Bloom, a prominent NBC News journalist who was covering the war in Iraq, died suddenly of a non-combat ailment while on duty.

Described as "dedicated, tenacious and talented," the 10-year NBC veteran, who was 39, was traveling with troops about 25 miles south of Baghdad when he suddenly collapsed, according to NBC spokeswoman Allison Gollust.

[Slyfox]

I always enjoyed his work. On MSNBC they showed a clip of him attempting to interview as looter, I think it was after a hurricane, asking him if he was embarrassed by what he was doing. That was pretty cool. Sounds like he died while doing what he loved.

[eternity]

39 years old. So young.

[Howlin]

[isthisnickcool]

[Friend of thunder]

Duplicate thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/886347/posts

[Scoop]

His stuff from Iraq, especially when the sandstorms were blowing, was fantastic. And 39 is really young.

[Nagual]

God speed David. My deepest sorrow to your family. I Will miss your fantistic work.

[janee]

This was a good photo of David Bloom - thought at the time it was broadcast - no vanity here! (his gray hair messed up by the Iraqi sandstorm)... just doing a good job of reporting.

[harpo11]

He was the only person I truly enjoyed listening to on NBC. He just seemed to have an inner energetic glow about him that made him seem so solid and earthly. Nothing about him seemed put on or contrived, no sneering, no top hat airs.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

He was a very good reporter, and obviously a brave man. RIP.

Pulmonary embolism is an occupational hazard of riding in cramped vehicles for many hours, and being dehydrated. Remember that the next time you get on an airplane for a trip of more than six hours (drink LOTS of water, little or no alcohol, and move around whenever possible). This can happen to anyone- even very young people have suffered sudden death from PE after long plane trips.

[Arkinsaw]

You remember when he was White House correspondent? The Clinton Press Aide hated to call on him because he was so tough during the lead up to the impeachment. He was one of the only White House reporters to question them in the old style.

[harpo11]

Yeah, I do. That is what made him credible in my view. He was one very classy man.

[KeyLargo]

That's why troops are 19 or 20 years old!

His company, NBC should have required him to undergo a complete physical before joing troops in battle.

Don't worry, the trial lawyers will be filing lawsuits against the government for something I am sure.

I laugh when I watch a bunch of overweight 40 somthing bubble butt reporters huffing and puffing, trying to keep up with the young troops!

[Loren27]

I am sorry about his families loss, and do not wish to take anything away from this man's life and career. But I am REALLY tired of the news probrams hyping up a reporters death. Honestly a reporter's death deserves much less "airtime" than a soldiers. I realize that the jurnalism community knows this man, but he is not a friend or relative of 99% of the public. Any reporters death is NOT headline news. it should be reported in a very short blurb, then move on to a real story.
The same thing happened on September 11 when the networks spent tons of time reporting on the whitehouse reporter who died on the plane that hit the pentagon. Do we care about her more than the other people on the plane? I think not.
I hope someday the journalists realize that thier job is to report news that is of real importance to the Public.

[ARA]

jeez! have some more coffee...

[Cicero]

Just signed up today? Time to take your meds.

[LadyDoc]

Pulmonary embolism? Did he hit his leg, or was he sitting too long? Or did he have a heart attack, with symptoms very similar to a pulmonary embolism?

Alas, such embolisms are common, even in young people...at the present time, our clinic has a couple young people on blood thinner after non fatal emboli...so they are not uncommon.

[JudyB1938]

I don't know who you think you are, but I think you are a heartless excuse for a human being. And you've come to the WRONG place to be disrespectful to the "whitehouse reporter who died on the plane that hit the pentagon". She was a friend to many in this forum and was loved by all. In fact, did you even know she was a FReeper?!!

PS ... Helpful Hint ... be careful who you trash. Most of the well-known conservatives are either FR members or lurkers. People in this forum tend to protect their own.

[LWalk18]

NBC reported that Bloom had complained of leg cramps two days before his death- sounds like a symptom, since the clot is from the leg vein, right?