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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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Martin Sheen American actor
Making Apocalypse Now. I had a close call with a heart ailment due to anxiety, fear and physical abuse: I was not taking care of myself.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 March 2017 source ↗
Joan Jett American singer, songwriter and guitarist
Right after 9/11, Kenny and I went to perform for the troops in Pakistan and Uzbekistan. As we were flying in, an electronic voice went off: “Warning: missile launch! Warning: missile launch!” The Taliban had fired a rocket at us. I was waiting to see the back of the plane blow up, but it didn’t and we landed.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 November 2020 source ↗
Sara Cox English broadcaster
Modelling in South Korea, aged 19. After a party, I flopped into bed, lit a big candle and balanced it on top of a massive box of matches. I created my own firework display when the candle burnt down and set fire to it. It made the biggest noise ever which, luckily, woke me from my slightly boozy slumber.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2019 source ↗
My parents died within four days of each other. I was engulfed as I ran from one bedside to another.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

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