Bryn Terfel: How close have you come to death?

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.

Recorded Bryn Terfel said elsewhere, not written here

In 2006, I went fishing for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. On the way back, one of the engines caught fire and then we had one engine for 70 miles. Slowly but surely, we got to Baton Rouge in the darkness but then got very close to a very large passing ship – they didn’t see us and we didn’t see them.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 November 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Yann Tiersen Pianist, composer

Yes! With my fiancée about two years ago, we were biking in the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park in California and we were stalked by a mountain lion for hours… It really changed my perception! But you know, they’re peaceful cats, there wasn’t any anger or aggression — that’s just the way it is in nature. It’s good sometimes to realize you can die! The experience made me realize that you have to know where you are, and know that the place you’re in is alive.

Recorded The Talks, 6 May 2016 source ↗

John Malkovich Actor

When I was an idiot high school student, as opposed to being an idiot adult, I used to drive very fast.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 March 2018 source ↗

Lemn Sissay

I made a suicide attempt at 12 or 13 years old.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 October 2023 source ↗

Jared Harris

On the interstate. Anyone who has driven in the United States will know that you are always very close to death – it is like the wild west on the freeways.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2025 source ↗