Woman dies after Entercom Sacramento's water drinking contest - FURTHER UPDATE

Death by Water and the Blame Game

Extract:

"At first police thought the answer to the criminal charge question was a simple ‘no’. The woman had taken part in the challenge voluntarily. No one forced her to drink nearly two gallons (7.5 litres) of water. Presumably she thought she knew what she was doing.

But then they listened to a tape of the radio programme and discovered that a nurse had called in to warn organisers their contest was potentially fatal. The DJs told the nurse they already knew about the dangers, according to the recording, and said the contestants would throw up before they died. They made jokes, even referencing the death of a student at a nearby college following a similar stunt in 2005.

One of the hosts, laughing, said: "Yeah, they signed releases, so we're not responsible. We're OK." Was it criminal not to pass the nurse’s warning on to the contestants? Should the organisers have researched the stunt first and made their findings public? "

In my previous update on this subject, I drew attention to the criminal implications. - I wrote:

"Should there now be a criminal prosecution of those most responsible for organising such an obviously risky contest which occasioned the death of this 28 year old mother-of-three? And should the radio company pay an exemplary amount of money to the bereaved young family of the dead woman?"

Woman dies after Entercom Sacramento's water drinking contest - UPDATE

The hosts of the radio show have been sacked.

Extract:

"A company spokesman, Charles Sipkins, confirmed the three DJs, as well as two other on-air personalities, “Carter” and “Fester,” were among those fired. Five other employees who worked on the “Morning Rave” also were let go."

Well that's a start. - I trust this will be the last of drinking-water-to-excess contests.

Should there now be a criminal prosecution of those most responsible for organising such an obviously risky contest which occasioned the death of this 28 year old mother-of-three? And should the radio company pay an exemplary amount of money to the bereaved young family of the dead woman?

Woman dies after Entercom Sacramento's water drinking contest

Woman dies after water drinking contest

Extract:

"John Geary, vice president and marketing manager for Entercom Sacramento, the station's owner, said staff were stunned when they heard of Ms Strange's death. "We are awaiting information that will help explain how this tragic event occurred," he said."

What a thoroughly irresponsible contest! - The organisers obviously should have checked out the risks of over-consumption of water - and then abandoned this foolish idea for a contest. Let's hope they receive condign punishment.