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The question

How close have you come to dying?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Others on this question

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Meera Syal British writer and actress
On a school trip to Wales when I was 12. My canoe capsized and got stuck upside down next to a rock. I was underwater for about 30 seconds but it felt a lot longer.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 April 2018 source ↗
Craig David British singer
I was caught by a wave while swimming at night with friends in Southampton. That shook me.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 November 2016 source ↗
I lived in New York during 9/11 and worked a couple of blocks away from the twin towers. I was looking when the first tower exploded and then when the second plane flew in and, before we had to evacuate, I did see people jump to their death.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2025 source ↗
When I had cancer. I was having a shave and thought: “Are you meant to have a big hard lump on one side of your neck?”
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 February 2025 source ↗

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