Family sues radio station in Wii contest death

[johnnymk]

I never knew you could die from drinking too much water.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-6...ml?tag=nl.e550

The family of a California woman who died after participating in a radio station's water-drinking contest to win a Nintendo Wii will sue the station, their lawyer said on Thursday.

Jennifer Strange, 28, a mother of three, died from suspected water intoxication after taking part in Friday's competition, "Hold Your Wee for a Wii." About 20 people tried to out-drink each other without going to the bathroom.

Sacramento station KDND-FM responded by firing 10 staffers, including several DJs, and canceling the Morning Rave program. The DJs had joked about people dying from water intoxication and teased Strange about her distended stomach.

"The station knew this was a dangerous and potentially deadly stunt, but flippantly dismissed the dangers," lawyer Roger Dreyer said in a statement. "Hearing the tape (of the radio show), it's very clear they knew of the dangers and could foresee that this could lead to Jennifer's death."

The station could not be reached for comment because its phone number was continuously engaged Thursday evening.

Police are also investigating the death for possible criminal charges.

An excess of water in the body can lead to the dilution of vital fluids. That in turn can lead to swelling of the brain, seizures, comas, an irregular heartbeat and in some cases death

[GraingerGuy]

Just so you know...I posted the original story in the game forum.
http://www.gotapex.com/games/148579-...of-3-dies.html

[Napoleon54]

Sheesh... that's a wiidiculous lawsuit.

Alrighty, here's our new contest: first one to play chicken with a speeding freight train wins... a bag of M&Ms!

[Napoleon54]

Just so you know...I posted the original story in the game forum.
http://www.gotapex.com/games/148579-...of-3-dies.html

Holy Wiipost Batman!

[DarkFury]

REGULATORS!!!! Mount up!

[GraingerGuy]

Sheesh... that's a wiidiculous lawsuit.

Alrighty, here's our new contest: first one to play chicken with a speeding freight train wins... a bag of M&Ms!

Ok....imo....this one isn't a frivolous lawsuit. Water poisoning is not something that is really well known among people who are not runners or athletes, etc.

And I do think this one is on the radio station for not researching this more and not listening to the people who called in saying that this WAS a dangerous thing to be doing for a contest.

[Cheesypuff]

Holy Wiipost Batman!

LOLOLOL...i think i about died from laughter. lololol

[Grafalgar]

Ok....imo....this one isn't a frivolous lawsuit. Water poisoning is not something that is really well known among people who are not runners or athletes, etc.

And I do think this one is on the radio station for not researching this more and not listening to the people who called in saying that this WAS a dangerous thing to be doing for a contest.

Total agreement here. The lady did not know that she was in any danger, and having listened to excerps of the show, she thought (and was told) that your body will just puke out the water if it's bad for you. This was repeated a number of times.

Water intoxication is not well known (but hopefully now will be).

I fully support this particular lawsuit. I'd even go as far as to say they need to be tried for involuntary manslaughter.

[johnnymk]

[Sirrich3]

[clutchy]

sad is what it is. wasn't she like a mother of 3?

[KIISQueen]

[thresher]

I, too, am w/stupid. Radio dj's need to stick to "9th caller" and drop the antics. (btw, I won tickets to Breakin Benjamins as 9th caller in November - show rocked)

[Kevster]

Reflecting on this tragic event, if the DJs and radio staff had really done their homework and instead of holding 'your wee' you had to hold something else, like 'your wiener' for instance, we wouldn't be talking about this.

That has a nice rign to it though: 'Hold your wiener for a Wii' - just think about how difficult that could be for some wieners. Granted, some can be quite hefty and into the 20lb range, but they also start getting uncomfortable and start to sqirm while you're holding them - and I'm sure people here can attest to the difficulties of holding onto a squirming wiener. Now that would be a contest - though only seasoned wiener handlers would likely win.

[chrissy]

Kevster, I love how you talk about wieners. Anyone can tell by the way you talk that you love them so much.

[DarkSerenity]

Hell, you would think people would think before they act, but when it comes to a new game system everyone will be all over that. I remember when the PS3 came out, I almost passed out from being squashed. When things got settled everyone was breaking out the ice coolers and takeout. And when people had to go wii (lol), most of them nearly got arrested for public indecency. I <sigh> did the campout for the money. It was worth it to me. $450 just to camp in line, food&supplies was provided from the buyer. As for the water thing, the station should of done their homework. They didn't, now they're getting sued, I don't feel bad for them at all. I hope that lady's family makes the station pay and finds some peace. With these kind of contests or campouts, surprise surprise, but there are never any rules or regulations. What a tragedy.

[Napoleon54]

Kevster, I love how you talk about wieners. Anyone can tell by the way you talk that you love them so much.

I didn't realize he was talking about dogs!

[chrissy]

I didn't realize he was talking about dogs!

Ya know, I read your original post and was LOL. I was trying to figure out what to say letting you in on the joke without killing the mood.

But now, you took that away from me

[thresher]

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph..._for_a_wii.wmv


video link. I hope they own this station by the time this is over.

[Napoleon54]

Ya know, I read your original post and was LOL. I was trying to figure out what to say letting you in on the joke without killing the mood.

But now, you took that away from me

Ack, sorry. I was a bit buzzed last night. Read it this morning and thought it might not be appropriate.

[Kevster]

I didn't realize he was talking about dogs!

Oops! Sorry about the confusion - I just love my 2' wiener and can't help but talk about it.

I plan on entering it into the 4th of July Wienerama (aka The Sausagefest) and seeing how it will do lined up against other wieners.

Oh, and the family did file suit today against the station management and the radio network company. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, I'm sure.

[eSDee]

Holy Wiipost Batman!

Post of the month!!!!