6 royals and celebs who died in unusual circumstances – including monarch bitten by a monkey

When it comes to the end of our lives, most will be hoping to simply pass away painlessly in our sleep.

Although death is a certainty, the manner in which we move on is often beyond our control. And when it comes to these stars and royals, they passed on in very unusual circumstances.

From stingrays to runaway hay bales and even a bite from a monkey, discover the celebrities and royals who died in a highly unique manner…

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Black-and-white Image of King Alexander with his wife

The former Greek monarch met an unusual end

King Alexander of Greece

Alexander was only the monarch of Greece for three years before he died at the age of 27 following a bite from a monkey. While walking his dog, Fritz, on the grounds of Tatoi Palace, an incident occurred when Fritz ended up fighting with a Barbary macaque that also lived there.

Alexander attempted to separate the animals, but as he did, a second monkey bit him deeply on the leg. The monarch’s wounds were cleaned and dressed, but they weren’t cauterised, and hours later, he fell ill from sepsis following an infection. Although physicians considered amputating Alexander’s leg, none were brave enough for the surgery should it fail, and the monarch fell further ill, passing away on 25 October 1920, 23 days after he was bitten by the monkey.

Alexander’s father, Constantine I, replaced him as monarch years later. The royal had previously been exiled while Alexander served as a ‘puppet King’.

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Portrait of King Bela of Hungary sitting on a throne

Bela died while sitting on the throne

King Bela I of Hungary

Much like Alexander, 11th century Hungarian royal King Bela also only reigned for three years before meeting an untimely end. For any monarch, one of the pivotal things required is a throne to sit on, but sadly, this is what claimed Bela’s life.

In 1063, as Bela sat on his throne, the wooden structure collapsed underneath him and he sustained heavy injuries, ultimately passing away from them on 11 September 1063.

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Steve Irwin giving two thumbs up at a premiere

Steve’s death rocked the world

Steve Irwin

One of the most surprising deaths of the 00s was wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, who sadly died at the age of 44 on 4 September 2006, leaving behind his wife and two children.

As a conservationist, Steve was always getting up close and personal with several different species of animals, from crocodiles to kangaroos. During the filming of Ocean’s Deadliest, Steve’s chest and heart were fatally pierced by a short-tail stingray, which is believed to have mistaken him for a tiger shark. The 44-year-old sadly bled out despite efforts to save him.

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Phillip Hughes playing cricket during a training session

Phillip was the victim of a freak accident during a match

Phillip Hughes

Thousands of people gather to watch sporting events every year, but tragedy struck during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales on 27 November 2014. Test cricketer Phillip Hughes was in the match, and during the game, he was struck in the neck by a bouncer, where his helmet wasn’t protecting him.

Phillip, 25, suffered a vertebral artery dissection that led to a subarachnoid haemorrhage as a result of the accident. He was placed in a medically induced coma and died two days after the incident. An inquest held no one responsible for the tragedy.

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Black-and-white image of Mike Edwards playing the cello during an Electric Light Orchestra concert

Mike was famed for his playing style

Mike Edwards

Mike rose to fame as a professional cellist, and he was an early member of Electric Light Orchestra, with his eccentric playing style and costumes providing plenty of memorable moments during the band’s early career. After leaving the band, he continued in music, creating unique symphonies for other artists and spoken-word poets.

The musician died at the age of 62 on 3 September 2010. While driving on the A381 near his home, the star’s van was struck by a 600kg cylindrical haybale that had gotten loose. Two defendants were found not guilty on health and safety charges two years after his death.

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Kina Cosper, Maxee and Nicci Gilbert at the Soul Train Music Awards

Maxee (central) passed away following a freak accident

Maxee

Maxee rose to fame as a singer with R&B trio Brownstone, contributing to the group’s two albums, including their platinum-certified debut, From the Bottom Up. After the group disbanded following their second album, the star had a brief solo career, including her single When I Look Into Your Eyes.

The star passed away at the age of 46 on 28 February 2015 during a party at her home. During the night, the singer slipped and fell, slicing her throat on a drinking glass that had shattered during the fall. Although she was rushed to hospital, she sadly died from her injuries.