Asthma attack is blamed for death of legendary stuntman

Stunt legend Ko Shou-liang died in Shanghai yesterday from a suspected asthma attack brought on by heavy drinking.

The 51-year-old - whose most daring stunts included jumping over the Great Wall and Yellow river on motorbikes and in cars - attended three banquets from 6pm on Monday to the early hours of yesterday, Xinhua quoted the Public Security Bureau as saying.

Taiwanese media reports earlier speculated that the daredevil, who was known as Xiao Hei or 'Blacky', died in a car crash. It was also rumoured he was killed during a stunt for a car commercial.

But the China News Service quoted a source in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau's traffic branch as saying it had not received any reports of a car accident.

Ko was taken to the Shanghai No6 People's Hospital at about noon yesterday after being found unconscious at his home.

Doctors at the hospital said Ko was dead on arrival. A Shanghai television report said no apparent external injuries were observed and his body was fully clothed.