Family awarded $16m over radio show death

A CALIFORNIA jury has awarded nearly $16 million (€10m) to the family of a woman who died after taking part in a radio station’s water-drinking contest.

Mother-of-three Jennifer Strange, 28, died of acute water intoxication in January 2007 after the challenge to see which contestant could drink the most water without going to the toilet.

A Nintendo Wii was the prize for winning the ‘Hold Your Wee for a Wii’ contest.

Jurors found Entercom Communications and its Sacramento subsidiary liable for the actions of its employees at Sacramento radio station KDND-FM.

The station sacked 10 employees after the death.

Strange, who came in second place, began complaining of an upset stomach and a headache toward the end of the contest. She was later found dead by a relative in her home.

During the contest, the station received at least one phonecall from a woman claiming to be a nurse, warning the DJs that drinking large amounts of water was dangerous. The DJs laughed the concern off, stating participants had signed waivers releasing the station from any liability.