A tragic incident unfolds at Disney World as Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, a New York physician, succumbs to a severe allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.
Despite assurances, the meal proved fatal, sparking discussions on restaurant responsibilities and the need for heightened awareness of food allergies.
In a heart-wrenching incident, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, a 42-year-old physician from New York University, succumbed to a severe allergic reaction after dining at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, located in Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The tragic event unfolded on October 5, when Dr. Tangsuan, alongside her husband Jeffrey J. Piccolo and his mother, visited the restaurant, believing it could safely accommodate her severe allergies to nuts and dairy.
Despite multiple assurances from the restaurant staff that the dishes ordered by the party would be free of allergens, Dr. Tangsuan experienced a fatal anaphylactic reaction shortly after the meal.
The dishes ordered included ‘Sure I’m Frittered,’ ‘Scallop Forest,’ ‘This Shepherd Went Vegan,’ and ‘Onion Rings.’ Concerns about the absence of “allergen-free flags” on some dishes were raised, but reassurances were given each time by the server.
Following the dinner, while her companions returned to their hotel, Dr. Tangsuan stayed behind at Disney Springs.
Approximately 45 minutes later, she began experiencing difficulty breathing, collapsed in a nearby restaurant, and despite using her EpiPen, could not halt the severe allergic response. Paramedics rushed her to a hospital, where her husband, upon arriving, was informed of her demise.
An autopsy later revealed elevated levels of dairy and nut in Dr. Tangsuan’s system, with the manner of death classified as an accident.
The lawsuit filed by her husband against Disney Parks and Resorts and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant alleges negligence and seeks damages in excess of $50,000. The complaint highlights the repeated assurances of allergen-free food from the restaurant staff, which tragically proved to be inaccurate.
Dr. Tangsuan’s death has sparked a conversation about the responsibilities of restaurants in handling food allergies and the importance of accurate communication and procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
Her loss is mourned by her family, friends, and the medical community at NYU Langone Health, where she was a respected physician.