Woman Dies After Water Drinking Contest

California Woman Dies Of Water Intoxication After Taking Part In Radio Station Contest

(AP)  A 28-year-old woman died of water intoxication after taking part in a radio station's water drinking contest to win a Nintendo Wii video game system, the coroner's office said.

Assistant Sacramento County Coroner Ed Smith said Saturday a preliminary investigation found evidence "consistent with a water intoxication death."

Jennifer Strange's mother found her daughter's body at her home Friday in the Sacramento suburb of Rancho Cordova, California, after Strange called her supervisor at her job to say she was heading home in terrible pain.

"She said to one of our supervisors that she was on her way home and her head was hurting her real bad," said Laura Rios, one of Strange's coworkers at Radiological Associates of Sacramento. "She was crying and that was the last that anyone had heard from her."

Earlier Friday, Strange took part in a contest at radio station KDND 107.9 in which participants competed to see how much water they could drink without going to the bathroom.

Initially, contestants were handed eight-ounce bottles of water to drink every 15 minutes.

"They were small little half-pint bottles, so we thought it was going to be easy," said fellow contestant James Year of Woodland, California. "They told us if you don't feel like you can do this, don't put your health at risk."

Ybarra said he quit after drinking five bottles. "My bladder couldn't handle it anymore," he added.

After he quit, he said, the remaining contestants, including Strange, were given even bigger bottles to drink.

"I was talking to her and she was a nice lady," Ybarra said. "She was telling me about her family and her three kids and how she was doing it for kids."

The winner of the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest was promised a Nintendo Wii video game system.

John Geary, vice president and marketing manager for Entercom Sacramento, the station's owner, said station personnel were stunned when they heard of Strange's death.

"We are awaiting information that will help explain how this tragic event occurred," he said.

[emtak1]

sad story--ignorance aint bliss...

[candojj1]

I'm wondering if this tragedy happened on a CBS radio affiliate whether CBS news would carry this story? I feel that the story should not have mentioned the radio station by name. It seems malicious for one media company like CBS to try and destroy a smaller company like Entercom Sacramento, LLC. It would suffice to say the name of the woman and what happened without being the hangman for the radio station. What sort of justice can the Sacramento radio station possibly get now? Maybe CBS is trying to engulf and devour Entercom LLC? It's awful. The tragedy to the family is unreal. Yet the story focuses on the radio station's gimicks and not on who will take care of the children or the family. The story seems to push the survivors into suing the radio station. Terrible all around. Horrific.

[alphaa10-2009]

John Geary, vice president and marketing manager for Entercom Sacramento, the station's owner, said station personnel were stunned when they heard of Strange's death.

"We are awaiting information that will help explain how this tragic event occurred," he said.

---

You might think marketers for this station might consult somebody, first, about possible negatives of running any contest in which people compete to the limits of their physical ability.

The operative consideration is "reasonable risk" of injury to contestants.

Clearly, all the risks cannot be anticipated, but water intoxication is a known medical condition, not some bizaare drug interction. See these websites for more information on what water intoxication is, and how to avoid it.

http://www.answers.com/topic/water-intoxication
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm
(the site following is a private page offering, associated with hot weather activity in the US military)
http://www.alpharubicon.com/med/watertox.html

[alphaa10-2009]

bbbbbfan sssssaid, "I'm wondering if this tragedy happened on a CBS radio affiliate whether CBS news would carry this story? I feel that the story should not have mentioned the radio station by name... "
---

I read the story with appropriate focus on the events, and, really, could not tell you immediately afterward what the station's name was or its owner.

News of this nature is manifestly a public event. If you read malice into every news story, then anytime a traffic accident involves a public figure or company, you will have Chamber of Commerce PR types coming out of the woodwork to silence public discussion.

Or consider VP Richard "DeadEye" Cheney and his hunting accident. Should the press have kept silent? There certainly was a conspiracy among Cheney and associates to keep the matter quiet-- and understandably so, because of the embarrassment. But embarrassment is not complete justification for secrecy. The shooting happened to a public figure, involved injury, and the facts should not be a secret.

To put the question another way, have you a financial interest in the station?

[randalds]

Lawsuit and rightly so.

[cbgb31]

"We are awaiting information that will help explain how this tragic event occurred," he said.


Uh, duh. It's called water toxemia, stupid a$$. Radio people are such scumbags.

[gods_love-2009]

This story is so incredibly sad. I feel awful for this young woman's children and family.

[katia327]

Certainly, there are those responsible for these stupid events occuring in the first place.

Ultimately...each individual is also responsible for themselves, and the choices they make.

My personal opinion? Events such as these, including food contests, where people gorge themselves with large quantities of food, in a short amount of time...border on the edge of insanity.

NO amount of money, or Nintendo video games, are worth a health risk, or your life.

Now three children are left without a mother...

[migrainegram]

Wonder if the contestants signed a release and if the station produced a disclaimer (which also should have included possible medical risks)?

These two points will certainly be at the crux of the investigation and any potential lawsuit.

[davidwayne20]

TO bbbbbfan

WOW, hard to believe what i just read from you.
The story IS about the radio station. If it were not for the station this poor woman would be ALIVE. EVERY news source needs to mention the name of the station, it's call letters, and the owners name. They have fault in this sad story.

Liken the naming of the station, KDND 107.9, to naming Michael Devlin. Imagine leaving his name out of the story about two boys kidnaped and held prisoner.

hhhmmmmmm

I would participated if they were offering beer instead of water!!!

[atchemp]

I can NOT believe the radio station held such a contest. Did they check with medical personal before they offered the contest? Many many people know about water intoxication. It's basic chemistry. You drink too much water and depletes your cells of sodium. I absolutely think the radio station should be liable for offering a contest and not seeing potential risks involved. Very unfortunate for a mom of three little children.

[mdc76082]

You know everytime I read the comments or opinions there are always the "few", and I stress "few" who seem to think this was a conspiracy of the networks to mention a stations call sign. Com'on folks. Has nothing, to do with malicious reporting by mentioning call signs. Simply put, some do and some don't. It's no conspiracy. Just go wrap yourself up in your little bubble, draw the curtains closed and shut up. Unfortunately water intoxication is real. Oh well, stuff happens and someone always pays the price. That's the circle of life and nobody's going to change it. But, if you're willing to participate in a stupid radio contest, "for your kid's sake", then you are most stupid parent. All parents need to tell your kids to read a book instead. Stop trying to be the "cool" parent. Just be a GD parent!Doesn't anyone in this world have any common sense left? I hope she did sign all the "legal" paperwork. It would show the radio station covered it's butt and how far and willing stupid parents will go just to pacify their brat's wants. Sad, sad world.

[driflyer13]

God rest her soul, but it's her own fault for doing it.

[oleander8]

Signing a release statement does not protect the radio station from liability. Period. It does not "cover their butts".

[slartibartf4]

involuntary manslaughter? perhaps that's a bit too rash. class action suit of conscious individuals vs. the psychosis of corporations?
anger.
resentment.
bitterness.
opposition.
transition
who messed up here?
could the answer be something that is not an individual person?
could the answer be responsibility?
I was fortunate to have the college professor that I did in Anatomy & Physiology...so, it was obvious to me
I was fortunate to have had the summers at OSU Atletic Training Camp.
I would have known it was a bad idea.
Also, I would have known that an alcohol drinking contest was a bad idea.
That a motorcycle jumping contest would have been a bad idea.
In summary,
I don't know, as a single person with only scant knowledge of the episode, much about this all. But, in reacting to this newsstory...
Ack...difficult to sympathis justice and compassion.
Lets us who've read this mourn unnecessary loss of life and listen for a time about our ownselves (as we owe to the mourning of loss of life) and what one or more of us might do individually and collectively to help (where possible)...

slartibart4 out

[creeper00]

bbbbbfan,

You object to the fact that the story focuses on the radio station's "gimmicks". I have news for you. The radio station's "gimmicks" ARE the story.

You seem to want to ignore the fact that this station was at least complicit in, and more likely responsible for, this woman's death. "Let's move on," you seem to be saying. By that logic, this problem would never see the light of day and more people would be at risk.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as "water intoxication" until I read this story.

Do you have a stake in this?

[cyberus-2009]

Sue the station?

What ever happened to personal responsibility? Nobody strapped them in a chair and forced them to drink.

[candojj1]

Michael Devlin as the "member" of this corporate llc , which is just part of a much larger LLC throughout the U.S. is a single owner "member". Limited liability, meaning that the owners of the LLC, called "members," are protected from liability for acts and debts of the LLC. So if sued, theoretically, the Sacramento LLC can declare Chapter 11 and reincorporate with the same "member" using a different name and the family would probably get nothing. Therefore, the question was posed, if the affiliate was a CBS affiliate would CBS be mentioning the name of the station or would it be going after a general stupid idiotic behavior teach the public lesson? This is no Cheney story. Cheney is the VP.

[dj0114]

I have never stood in line early Thanksgiving afternoon in below freezing weather for a Black Friday sale. I have never placed my hand on a car in inclement weather to see how long I could do it to win said car. I would never try out for the shows %u2018Survivor%u2019 or %u2018Fear Factor%u2019.

And I would never drink endless amounts of water for a Nintendo Wii.

I profess to not understanding the mentality of people that do any of the above.

The radio station was certainly careless, even reckless. Yet somewhere along the line people have to use what brains they were given to stop, think and refrain from committing acts of grave stupidity for material gains.

It is almost a given her family will sue and no previously signed release by that woman will prevent this.

But that doesn%u2019t give her kids their mom back, does it?

[rudy654-2009]

Drinking too much water can kill anyone, and women are particularly vulnerable. Obviously, those who managed this contest were pathetically ignorant of water intoxication and that to win a contest people will go to extremes and those extremes can be lethal. This is an example of carelessness and ignorance.

[shanev137]

I think the radio station should be sued and put out of business for promoting something that hazardous.

[cbgb31]

Radio DJs are stupid little pukes with no social consciousness doing anything and everything for self promotion regardless of degradation or risk. Low life scumsbags. Everything is a big joke to them.

[lucasnico]

the radio station should be put out of business

[saf5455]

The radio station didn't seem to care that they could be sued for this. The family should definately sue all those involved with the contest.

[delidel66]

You have got to be kidding me!!! I mean it is a shame she died but nobody held her down and forced her to drink the water, she made a choice. She is not a victim. why does everybody want to blame everyone else for thier own choice. STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AMERICA!!!! Besides, Would you expect something like that to happen? I wouldn't and obviously, neither did she, so why blame the radio station?

[cbone60]

I have agree with cbgb31. DJs need to be licensed to open their mouths. Way too many utter sexist, classist, racist, ignorant garbage to gain a greater users share. They show no socially redeeming responsibility and serve no socially redeeming function whatsoever.

Give me a break,,, not a one of you in here has ever heard of the term "water intoxication" until now, and yet you all are expects in this case....what a bunch of losers

[trackers55]

Noone put a GUN to her head to make her do this. She did this to herself. I am sorry that this happened but We have got to take Responsibility for what WE do, and not try to blame others for our mistakes.
We can all learn from this.

[pakuna802]

Pure ignorance, plain and simple. Listen up people. Too much of anything can kill.
Think about that at the next pie eating contest, beer drinking contest, or any other contest that you put excess amounts of any substance into or onto your body.
This was tragic, but I'm sure no one intentionally meant for a death to occur.
The public should educate themselves and their friends and family.
Likewise, the promoters should educate themselves of the risks and possible liabilities.
Neither party is blameless here.

[pakuna802]

Pure ignorance, plain and simple. Listen up people. Too much of anything can kill.
Think about that at the next pie eating contest, beer drinking contest, or any other contest that you put excess amounts of any substance into or onto your body.
This was tragic, but I'm sure no one intentionally meant for a death to occur.
The public should educate themselves and their friends and family.
Likewise, the promoters should educate themselves of the risks and possible liabilities.
Neither party is blameless here.

[pakuna802]

Pure ignorance, plain and simple. Listen up people. Too much of anything can kill.
Think about that at the next pie eating contest, beer drinking contest, or any other contest that you put excess amounts of any substance into or onto your body.
This was tragic, but I'm sure no one intentionally meant for a death to occur.
The public should educate themselves and their friends and family.
Likewise, the promoters should educate themselves of the risks and possible liabilities.
Neither party is blameless here.

[aj_pinkrose]

I have heard of water intoxication. The radio station should have done a little bit of research before doing that contest. I guess they will set some standards now on contests. It's to bad those kids had to lose their mother, when she was trying to do something for them. Since the radio station had the contest and did not check what could happen they are responsible. SUE them!

[SoFlor00]

Why don't you knuckleheads all get a life and go take a long walk. After that remember to drink lots of water!

[cacee13601]

ok i have to say i agree with trackers55 on this one.. but ummm ive drank a massive ammount of water and had to hold it before.. (umm, mom of 3) i had 6 ultrasounds with my first child and i had to drink water and hold it and never had a problem and they never told me that i could possibly die from it!!! ive never heard of it but i guess anything is possible.. but nobody made her do it.. and you would think that she would have thrown up.. hmmm odd but ok.. i feel bad for her family cuz they lost a loved one but it was an accident what else are you going to do?? sue who for it?? the radio station for a contest?? umm ok its a contest.. totally voluntary so lets not get into that..

[cacee13601]

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.

[tracylee9]

SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PRESS CHARGES-THIS IS A CRIMINAL CASE AND THE MANAGEMENT/OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE-THIS CONTEST CAN AND HAS CAUSED DEATHS-THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE

THE OWNERS/MANAGEMENT DID NOT RESEARCH THIS CONTEST NOR DID THEY HAVE MEDICAL STAFF AVAILABLE IN CASE OF A PROBLEM - THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND PEOPLE HAVE THE VOICE TO MAKE CHANGE AND PLEASE SPEAK UP CALL THE SACRAEMNTO DIST. ATTORNEYS OFFICE - THIS COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN TO THE LAW - CIVIL TOO.

WE THE PEOPLE WILL FIND OUT WHO THE OWNERS ARE AND THE PARENT COMPANY , MANAGEMENT ETC AND

JENNIFER STRANGE HER NAME WILL BECOME A LAW, WATCH AND SEE THIS IS JUST THE START OF ENDING
"THE END 107.9" PLEASE HELP CALL SACRAMENTO DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE -
(HELP) SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE MAY PARTICIPATE IN A RADIO STATION CONTEST IN YOUR AREA AND DIE OR BE PERM.DISABLED SPEAK OUT AND HELP SAVE A LIFE, THIS RADIO STATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DEATH.

[nursemo24]

Before any company decides to do a contest, they should do this little step called RESEARCH. What are the risks if any and so on. Before anyone enters a contest they should also do a little research. Excessive consumption of water is extremely dangerous. Your body has no place to store the extra water and it can lead to edema....especially cerebral edema. All the water dilutes your electrolytes too. I'm baffled that no one knew this or checked into it prior. What a sad event.

[iypopeye]

Yep we should be responsible for what we do. In this case, that includes the radio station managers, who said 'if you don't think you can do this, don't put your health at risk'. So THEY knew there was a risk even if Jennifer didn't recognize it. They failed to explore the risk any further; they just washed their hands of it and held out the Wii. Bad idea!

Here's a new contest the radio station might try: "Whoever can hold on to these electrodes the longest, as we increase the voltage, wins a new Wii! Now,if you don't think you can do this, don't put your health at risk"

Only a moron would put such a contest together and think he/she could escape liability. I hope the radio station is worth millions because Jennifer's kids will need it, and more.

[iypopeye]

Scanned the comments & found my favorite:

"Radio DJs are stupid little pukes with no social consciousness doing anything and everything for self promotion regardless of degradation or risk. Low life scumsbags. Everything is a big joke to them.
Posted by cbgb31 at 04:12 PM : Jan 14, 2007"

Right on. Includes their leader, Howard Stern.

[jabberwock11]

Why must corporate entities always be held responsible? It was more the woman's fault than the Radio Station's. If you do something stupid it's your own fault. No one made her participate. The bottom line is that everyone does stupid things from time to time. If you are unlucky those things may cost you money, your health or even your life. It doesn't matter if you were influenced by others or not. You ultimately have to take responsibly for your own actions.

[james0tucson]

Homicide!

Reports are that the DJ hosting the program was specifically warned of the risks by a heathcare practitioner, dismissed the warning, and held the contest anyway.

That means he cannot claim *ignorance*.

It makes it manslaughter at best. It might make it worse than that, since the motive was to poison someone for amusement, quite an atrocity.

This should be treated precisely the same as if the contest was "eat as much rat poison as you can for a trip to disneyland." How would you feel if someone died in *that* contest? This is no different.

[nanekigigi]

The same thing happened in Chico State University with a fraternity where a pledge died of hyponatremia (water intoxication). You would think that being a radio station in California they might've been a little bit more informed about what happened in CSU. I guess you can't expect everyone to be informed.

[ergal77]

I agree with nursemo24. The company should have done their research. Although, "no one held a gun to her head" or "no one made her do it" she probably did it figuring if a radio station is holding this contest then it must be safe, huh? It is bizarre to think you can die from drinking too much water, but it does happen. It's different from drinking it for an ultrasound to fill your bladder. It's a matter of how much you consume in how much time. You don't vomit, your body absorbs it and further dilutes your system. All in all, the station probably knew there were some risks, but held it anyway. Had she known what the risks involved I'm sure she wouldn't have put herself and now her family through this.

Stupid contest. Plain and simple.