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Wii-contest radio station fires 10 staff; Police probe death
Jennifer Strange, a mother of three, apparently died of water intoxication after participating in a California radio station's water-drinking contest.
Radio station KDND 107.9 has fired 10 employees, including five on-air personalities, after Jennifer Lea Strange, a mother of three, died following her participation in a 'Hold your wee for a Wii' competition, reports the Sacramento Bee. The 28-year-old died of water intoxication having consumed an estimated two gallons of water in an attempt to win a Nintendo console for her children. The winner of the contest was to be the person who managed to drink the most water without going to the bathroom.
Attorneys for the family of Strange said they plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the radio station that held the drinking contest.
Strange called into her office after the show and told a co-worker that she had a "really bad" headache and would be going straight home. She was found dead in her Rancho Cordova home on Friday afternoon by her mother, who had gone to check on her after being contacted by the concerned co-worker.
Before the contest, one of the station's disc jockeys said, "Can't you get water poisoning and like die?" A caller also warned of danger during the contest.
Authorities decided to pursue the investigation after listening to a tape of the show during which the DJs made comments joking about people dying from water intoxication, according to the Sacramento Bee. There was even a discussion about a "poor kid in college"--presumably Matthew Carrington, who also died from water intoxication after a fraternity hazing ritual. One person dismissed the link by saying, "Yeah, well, he was doing other things." During the show, one DJ also admitted, "Maybe we should have researched this."
Two hours in to the contest, a female caller, who identified herself as Eva, phoned in to warn the radio station that drinking too much water can kill. She said, "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication." One DJ replied, "We are aware of that," while another added, "They signed releases, so we're not responsible. It's ok."
Strange entered the contest, which involved drinking water and then refraining from urinating, to try to win a Nintendo Wii gaming console like this one.
Eighteen contestants took part in the competition, including Strange, who was the runner-up. Other participants said that they became concerned when one woman layed on the ground, with her teeth chattering, and looking pale. At one point Strange was lying on the ground, but told staff that she "could probably drink more" if someone could pick her up.
A notice on the radio station's Web site stated that an investigation was underway. It reads, "First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jennifer's family and loved ones. I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible."
The Sacramento county coroner said preliminary autopsy findings showed she died of water intoxication. The condition, also known as hyponatremia, is extremely rare and only usually affects endurance athletes. Nausea, vomiting and headache are the first symptoms of the condition, which causes brain swelling and leads to seizures, coma and death.
The winner of the contest was similarly affected, telling CNN: "I was throwing up, I couldn't even function, I couldn't do anything."
Ten employees at the Sacramento radio station KDND, whose "Morning Rave" show held the contest, were fired over the incident.
It is the second such death from excessive water consumption in two years in the state. A 21-year-old student at Chico university died of water intoxication after being urged to drink large quantities by other students.
Source: Sacramento Bee & gamespot.com
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