The Family Of A Woman Who Died After Taking Part In A Water-drinking Competition

Mother-of-three Jennifer Strange, 28, entered the California radio station contest to win a Nintendo Wii games console.

In the event - dubbed "Hold Your Wee For a Wii" - contestants had to drink a 250ml bottle of water every 15 minutes without urinating.

After eight rounds, contestants were given half-litre bottles.

Mrs Strange is believed to have downed nearly two gallons (7.5 litres) of fluid in the hope of winning the prize for her children.

She then left work early complaining of headaches, and was found dead later.

A post-mortem found she had died of water intoxication.

No criminal charges were filed in the case, but the woman's family sued Sacramento radio station KDND-FM for more than $34m.

After deliberating for two weeks, a jury awarded her husband and three children just less than half that amount.

Lawyers for the station argued that her death was unforeseeable, and her "contributory negligence" led in part to her death.

Ten of the radio station's employees were reportedly sacked after the event.

Experts say water intoxication can occur when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is altered by a rapid intake of water.

This can eventually cause the brain to swell, stopping it regulating vital functions such as breathing.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091030/twl-wee-for-wii-water-drinking-contest-d-3fd0ae9.html