US radio contest death sparks sackings, probe

LOS ANGELES, Jan 18 (Reuters) US police are investigating the death of a 28-year-old woman after she took part in a California radio station's contest in which competitors had to drink as much water as possible.

Jennifer Strange, a mother of three, died from suspected water intoxication after taking part in last Friday's competition, ''Hold your wee for a Wii,'' in which about 20 people tried to out-drink each other without going to the toilet to win a Nintendo Wii game console.

''We have new information that has come to light from audio tapes of the show,'' said Sgt. Timothy Curran, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

''We have decided we will open a death investigation which will take weeks and on conclusion our findings will be forwarded to the local district attorney to decide whether to lay criminal charges.'' Sacramento station KDND-FM fired 10 staff members, including several DJs, as recordings of the show were posted online featuring the DJs joking about people dying from water intoxication and teasing Strange about her enlarged stomach.

They discussed a case in Northern California two years ago in which a student died after drinking too much water during a fraternity stunt, while one listener called to warn that drinking too much water could be fatal.

Strange, who came second in the contest after drinking about 6-1/2 liter of water, told the morning radio show hosts that she was not feeling well. After the contest she called in sick at work and was found dead at her home about five hours later.

''My head hurts,'' she said to laughter during the show. ''My stomach is like really, really full. It looks like I am pregnant again.'' Water intoxication, also known as hyperhydration or water poisoning, is potentially fatal and can cause irregular heartbeat, fluid in the lungs and swelling of the brain.

The Sacramento county coroner has yet to rule on the cause of death but has it was ''consistent'' with water intoxication.

The winner of the contest, Lucy Davidson, said on CNN that she was very sick after the contest.

''I was barely able to make it home,'' she said.

''I was throwing up, I had to crawl on the floor... It took me a whole day (to recover).'' Reuters SP GC0927