Woman dies trying to win a Wii

With all the hysteria and violence surrounding the PlayStation 3 launch, we were almost positive that it would be the pursuit of Sony's hard-to-find console which would lead to the tragic death of a hopeful gamer. But even though there were numerous scuffles and injuries in the race to secure a PS3, the first and only casualty in the next-gen wars turned out to be a woman trying to win a Wii for her children -- and she lost her life in much more bizarre circumstances than the retail madness we witnessed in late November. 28-year-old Jennifer Strange of Rancho Cardova, CA was found dead inside her home on Friday afternoon after competing in a radio station-sponsored competition which pitted hopefuls against one another for the prize of Nintendo's latest and greatest. Instead of competing on the playing fields of Wii sports or the Japanese streets of Red Steel, however, contestants gathered inside the studios of Sacramento's KDND The End to see who could drink the most water without urinating. The ridiculously-titled "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest had entrants imbibe eight ounces of water every fifteen minutes for 90 minutes, after which they were given larger portions until a winner emerged. Ms. Strange -- who did not win -- left the studio in tears, and she was last heard from by her employers at Radiological Associates of Sacramento complaining of a terrible headache. Autopsy results released yesterday showed signs of water intoxication, wherein the body's electrolyte levels are dangerously unbalanced due to a rapid intake of the seemingly harmless liquid. A spokesperson from The End came out with the usual sob story following news of Strange's death, but at least one of her coworkers thinks the station should have done more to prevent this tragedy; it's probably a pretty safe bet that a lawsuit is forthcoming.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Sean O @ Jan 15th 2007 6:10AM]

I'll ignore what an insensitive prick you are. How exactly is this Darwinism at it's finest? She already had kids moron. Hardly effective natural selection if she's already procreated. Not Darwinism by any means. Just tragic. So when your mom dies, what will you say?

[Hawk @ Jan 14th 2007 6:14PM]

I hate radio stations. "we hear some pizza place is taking PESOS for PIZZA! HAHAA! we're gonna call them up! Then we'll call up some retarded no-legged black crack addict and make fun of how many times he can say 'bitch' in one sentence! We'll then chainsaw a tickle me elmo and give a candy bar wrapper to whoever can eat the pieces and not die!"

[SubGenius @ Jan 14th 2007 6:16PM]

There is a silver lining to the story...she is a shoe in for a Darwin Award.
At least her kids can play with the trophy.

[Sean O @ Jan 15th 2007 6:39AM]

Yes, her kids can.... wait a minute, she already had kids. So your stupid Darwin comment doesn't really make any sense now does it?

[Jay @ Jan 14th 2007 6:20PM]

What's next? "Drink your Wee for a Wii". People are crazy, I actually see this happening.

[T_R_J @ Jan 14th 2007 6:33PM]

Look at it this way - people will do stupid things - without regard for their own well being - especially for something free. I don't think any pity should be bestowed upon her for dying. If she wanted to get her kids a Wii there are other ways to approach it. Buy it maybe? So was her life worth essentially $250 dollars?

People are stupid.

[riggs @ Jan 14th 2007 6:42PM]

isnt it ironic that the radio station was named "the end"?

[Oh Wise One @ Jan 14th 2007 6:46PM]

Why is it Europeans tend to be so full of themselves? Are there arrogance additives in your water?

I had to correct my grammar. I would hate to get an uneasy smile from you.

[Nathan @ Jan 14th 2007 6:47PM]

This usually happens with Ecstacy use, the drug makes you feel like your constantly thirsty and people don't stop them drinking water because they think it can do no harm.

[PreGHz @ Jan 15th 2007 12:35AM]

Actually, the drug usually inhibits your body from temperature control. You also lose any hunger.

People drink water not because they are thirsty (their body won't send a signal to them), but because they want to stay hydrated for fear of dehydration.

If you lose track of time (as in, how long ago was it that you drank water last) or aren't watching your intake, you could "overdose" on water.

Rule of thumb that I've found is to carry a liter of water with you, and finish that over the course of the night. Unless you are really active during that time, then drink another half to full liter.

Please practice safe drug use.

[Rob @ Jan 14th 2007 6:51PM]

It's sad to see how insensitive and rude people are talking about this tragic death. I know it is hard to feel bad about something that stands far away from you, and perhaps we shouldnt try to feel bad about it at all. However, I dont think there is any reason to try and be funny and respectless. This woman surely did not want to die and probably never even thought about a situation like that. She simply wanted to win her kids a present.
I feel sorry for her and for her kids.

[oZ @ Jan 14th 2007 7:05PM]

I have the opinion that someone who uses "u", "ur", "cuz", and can't spell, are not allowed to call someone else 'stupid'.

[bob @ Jan 14th 2007 7:05PM]

17. KDND-107.9 THE END radio, its agencies, affiliates, sponsors, or representatives absolve themselves of any liability, financial or otherwise, resultant of any "on" or "off" air contest staged by KDND-107.9 THE END.

See, line 17 of the waiver clearly states that its a-okay for the station to kill you, but they certainly aern't responsible. Uh, yea. Waivers really mean squat in court.

[Ian @ Jan 14th 2007 7:09PM]

The radio station was completely ignorant and negligent, but the woman was ignorant as well. I don't feel as bad about her death as some, as I think she's partly responsible for her own death, willingly doing this for a Wii. I realize that she probably didnt know about water poisoning/intoxication, but the radio station didn't either. They should have done their research, or maybe the world should be full of smarter people who know very basic things. I don't know.

[JRA219psu @ Jan 14th 2007 7:56PM]

Well the death of anyone is very tragic. While the woman was a bit irresponsible and should have known that too much of ANYTHING in your system is a bad thing, the radio station should not have done that kind of promotion without making people signing some kind of waver. There needed to be more thought put into this promotion; the result was tragic and senseless. Very sad.

[Sean O @ Jan 15th 2007 6:10AM]

Unless the waver warns the contestants that YOU CAN DIE from this contest, your argument that the radio station isn't 100% responsible doesn't hold up.

[Impure @ Jan 14th 2007 8:04PM]

This pretty much ruined my day. This poor woman just wanting to win a game system for her kids...and the picture of her driving home, crying because her head was hurting her...things like this make the world suck. Most people don't realize you can drink too much water; trust me, I've spoken to people about this when they get onto me for not drinking enough water. People just don't know.

[Mr. Picklesworth @ Jan 14th 2007 8:12PM]

Drinking too much water is one of those things people should be taught in school. (Hm... How about in that completely useless Physical "Education" program?).

Yep, very unfortunate for that person. Tragic :(

I fear for the person who won this contest...

[WaterBoy @ Jan 14th 2007 8:25PM]

LOL. This should be an easy win for the radio station.

[Jake Sees @ Jan 14th 2007 8:48PM]

At least the good news is that when her family sues and wins the lawsuit, they can buy thousands of Wii's!

[WaterBoy @ Jan 14th 2007 9:00PM]

We can only hope that the 2nd place winner received the Wii.

[Romero715 @ Jan 14th 2007 9:11PM]

Tragic but... THE END? LOL LOL LOL!!!!

[nick @ Jan 14th 2007 9:12PM]

Some of these comments are really insensitive. It's totally sad what happened. A family lost their mother over a stupid contest. This is a women who loved her children so much, she participated by holding out longer than anyone to secure a Wii for her family.

I've since heard the district attorney is NOT going to prosecute this as a criminal matter, which is a shame, because the radio station should be at fault. They did not research the risk involved, nor did they have a doctor available.

While nothing can be back this family's mother, I sincerely hope the family can get through this difficult time. This will probably affect the kids for life.

[tpcguy @ Jan 14th 2007 9:24PM]

Please, I implore you to contact the companies that advertise with the station. Specifically those contained here:

http://www.endonline.com/station_content/advertising_clients.php

Tell them that you don't think they should support reckless behavior and if you really believe this is wrong, that you will not patronize their establishments until they make a statement to that effect.

This is horrible and irresponsible.

[Scooter @ Jan 15th 2007 5:00AM]

lobbying the advertisers - and possibly boycotting them - is a smart move.
The first to distance itself from the station should be the Office of Problem Gambling, email [e-mail]

[evilfixx @ Jan 14th 2007 9:32PM]

Agreed Lucas... I think also that there is a little defense of the infallible Nintendo from some people. Both the radio station and Nintendo should be ashamed of themselves. The radio station for staging such a contest, and Nintendo for trickling their systems out in an attempt to keep the hype and hysteria over the system alive.

[Dave @ Jan 14th 2007 10:02PM]

well first thing first... Yeah, its tragic that she died, but, if someone came up to me and said "Hey, we're having a contest to see who can drink the most water without taking a piss to win a Wii" I would seriously laugh and think "Yeah, Im in" (well before reading this anyway). I mean it really sounds so innocent. Just imagine how badly those DJ's feel for involuntary manslaughter (if it can even be called that).

How many people know that too much water can kill? I bet 99% dont. So while this is tragic, and I DO believe that her family should be compensated, I DO NOT believe there should be any criminal charges against the DJ's or the station.

Secondly, EvilFixx... I hope you're kidding about nintendo being to blame in any way shape or form. If you are serious, you should seek mental help because that kind of thinking implies that you are severely retarded.

Thirdly, to all the insensitive assholes making jokes, I wish you could feel 1/10th the pain those kids are feeling right now. Maybe you'd change your tune, but that would mean you have some sort of conscience which I am seriously doubting. I Hope you enjoy eternity burning in hell! Bring marshmallows!!! ;)

[Ian @ Jan 14th 2007 10:40PM]

Nothing like tragedy to bring out the 12 year socially retarded insensitive dorks. Amazing.

[keirgilchrist@yahoo @ Jan 14th 2007 10:53PM]

This is stupid. They couldn't have even had a contest to see who could PEE the most (volume), since it would *still* involve drinking too much water. Holding your urine? Stupid. Drinking too much water? Stupid.

[chenry @ Jan 14th 2007 10:54PM]

The contest called for them to drink 1.4 L of water in 90 minutes, or about 0.9 L in an hour. Hyperhydration can be caused by as little as 0.9 L/hr. Our kidneys can only handle like 1.5 L/h. The radiostation essentially sponsored a contest they should've called "kill yourself for a Wii".

[zmanforever @ Jan 14th 2007 10:59PM]

i dont think you guys understand that she did this to try and get a free wii, if no waiver signed family is going to take them to court.

[v_dogg @ Jan 14th 2007 11:48PM]

Holy Cow!

[[e-mail] @ Jan 15th 2007 1:03AM]

They *should* have had an ejaculation contest to see WHO can squirt the most semen into a Dixie cup. lol Now THAT'S a contest I'd LOVE to judge!!!!!

[Kevin @ Jan 15th 2007 4:27PM]

gay?

[Nick R @ Jan 15th 2007 1:09AM]

this really is sad... she did sign a waiver though. it talks about it in the original story.

@mac user :: you are an idiot.

[EPhibian @ Jan 15th 2007 1:17AM]

The (disgusting) tag line on local television news: H-2-Overdose (no kidding)

[Keith @ Jan 15th 2007 1:22AM]

The maximum ability of the kidney to secrete water is 750 cc per hour; she drank approx 1000 cc. In young women, there is a tendency to have impaired water secretion, hence her capacity may have been 500 cc or less. The radio station essentially invited these people to play another form of "Russian Roulette."

She diluted her Na down very rapidly and developed cerebral edema which explains why she didn't feel well and had a headache. Not only was the radio station remiss in this contest, but they should have taken her immediately to an emergency room, where the doctors would have quickly recognized what was happening and instituted treatment that would have saved her life.

[StandardAI @ Jan 15th 2007 2:36AM]

This is how the cases are where people die after taking ecstasy, They don't die from the actual ecstasy but from drinking too much water. The girl was not dumb for drinking too much water because most people believe that you cannot die from drinking too much water, Alcohol maybe but not water. The radio-station was very stupid because people will push them selves far beyond the limits simply to win a contest let alone a wii.

[DavidG @ Jan 15th 2007 4:15AM]

This must be terrible for the mothers family. This must also be at least semi-frightening for the person who actually won the contest. Imagine that you participate in this contest not knowing of what might happen and the person who got 2nd place dies. Scary!

[Scooter @ Jan 15th 2007 4:46AM]

sue their sorry asses

[angel @ Jan 15th 2007 6:00AM]

To all the trolls making snotty comments about this woman and saying (or implying) that she "got what she deserved" and other juvenile illiterate garbage...

Are you fucking retarded? Is there something wrong with your tiny little brains? Did your mothers drop you on your heads and then kick you around when you were babies? Those are about the only things I can think of to explain your apparent mental malfunctions. Now...

GTFO
gb2 /b/
and go make yourselves an hero.

IF you can understand that, gooooood for you, b-tards. If not, I don't care. Have one of your thirteen-year-old friends translate it for you.

[PEZ @ Jan 15th 2007 6:51AM]

Water dosnt kill people, Wii's kill people.

[Duodenum @ Jan 15th 2007 7:41AM]

Last year a park police officer in Washington DC died from drinking too much water. It's not uncomoon, and yes, the radio station should be at least considered for criminal charges. A civil suit is a foregone conclusion (and one that the radio station should lose, even if the woman DID sign a waiver).

[LC @ Jan 15th 2007 9:36AM]

Well said Dave.

I agree that it is not common knowledge of the damage too much water can cause and the woman, in no way was stupid for participating.

In the same light, it can't be expected that the radio guys would know this as common knowledge as well. Precisely the reason why they are not being prosecuted criminally

You have dangerouse contests all over the country. Look at how many eating contests there are and the potential for chocking deaths.

In this litigious society it is an almost certainty that the stations legal dept. had all contestants sign a waiver. Not because they expected this incident, but for things like someone tripping and falling or suffering a heart attack.

[Don @ Jan 15th 2007 11:41AM]

With the pro-water statements being made everywhere in the popular media and from medical professionals, it isn't surprising that the woman thought it was harmless. Even I - who was aware that it was possible - thought that the volume required was higher than the 3 litres in an hour mark. Most people think that items we consider "food" are not going to kill them. Even so, a teaspoon of sugar chased by a teaspoon of salt can kill a baby or young child, heaped tablespoons can do the same to many adults.

[Jon @ Jan 15th 2007 2:20PM]

Man this sucks. I would have bought her kids a wii to keep her alive.

[Kenny R. Brown @ Jan 16th 2007 1:46AM]

Hyponatremia is nothing to laugh about. I can hardly beleive the comment that referred to this woman as a "stupid bitch". Seriously, how f*cked up is it to say something like that? A couple of months ago, I had a similar situation happen to me. I was dehydrated from a burn, and drank more water than I should have. If I hadn't been in an Emergency Room when I had a seizure, I would be dead right now.

I'm all for free expression and everything, but comments like that are ridiculous. Can you imagine telling this family that their mom got what she deserved? Anybody like that is far more deserving of death (in my opinion) than this woman, who's only mistake was ignorance.

[scott berfield @ Jan 16th 2007 2:43AM]

That was an incredibly stupid and dangerous contest. Anyone who runs long distance races knows that toomuch water in your system can kill you.

[PeteC @ Jan 16th 2007 5:48AM]

Well it is the radio stations fault. Water toxicity is hardly an unknown phenomenon, that's how a lot of people die when taking ecstasy, they end up drinking too much water as they are scared of getting dehydrated and it raises the body temperature. Anyone who forces people to drink loads of water without looking into it beforehand deserves to go to jail although the contestants themselves were just as idiotic to agree to do this to themselves in the first place.

[MAIcrosoft @ Jan 16th 2007 8:46AM]

lols its too dumb and ridiculous lols Xp

-MAIcrosoft
http://dshacks.blogspot.com/