What is Digg?209 Comments
- Nobi-Wan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+168There are several points in the whole thing that just scream "gross negligence."
At one point a registered NURSE called in to inform them that you can die from water intoxication. They laughed it off and said "That's why we have signed disclaimers." When they asked the nurse why she didn't want to enter the contest she said "Because I don't want to die." - jstohler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+96Famous last words: "Maybe we should have researched this"
- Talus, on 10/12/2007, -7/+90I felt sick with anger just listening to that...
- brstilson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+77"That's why we have signed disclaimers."
Radio people are class-A idiots. Those signed disclaimers will be among the first things destroyed in court. They're worthless and never hold up. You can't sign a waiver and have it still be alright for someone to kill you. I believe some criminal charges are in order. This is an open-and-shut criminally negligent homicide case. - Zinite, on 10/12/2007, -3/+76Holy crap... someone even called in to tell them that you can die from water intoxication... What ***** idiots
- tafkase7en, on 10/12/2007, -6/+63It so sick that they just keep joking and joking and going on and on about dieing. Sick.
- eleven, on 10/12/2007, -1/+57Wow - sad. She sounded like a pretty cool mom to me.
- disillusioned, on 10/12/2007, -2/+42@stryker2you
Gatorade contains enough electrolytes and enough sodium to keep your balance in check, preventing the typical causes of water intoxication, which is an imbalance of sodium. Your sodium levels drop, and your cells break down, effectively. Keeping your sodium levels in line with your increased water intake will stave off the dilution, but way to be a complete moron about it. - NightStryke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+41I feel sorry for the kids. Not only did their mother die, she died trying to win a console for them.
- lazyrussian, on 10/12/2007, -1/+34From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication
Most water intoxication is caused by hyponatremia, an overdilution of sodium in the blood plasma, which in turn causes an osmotic shift of water from extracellular fluid (outside of cells) to intracellular fluid (within cells). The cells swell as a result of changes in osmotic pressure and may cease to function. When this occurs in the cells of the central nervous system and brain, water intoxication is the result. Additionally, many other cells in the body may undergo cytolysis, wherein cell membranes that are unable to stand abnormal osmotic pressures rupture, killing the cells. Initial symptoms typically include light-headedness, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache and/or malaise. Plasma sodium levels below 100 mmol/L (2.3g/L) frequently result in cerebral edema, seizures, coma, and death within a few hours of drinking the excess water. As with alcohol poisoning, the progression from mild to severe symptoms may occur rapidly as the water continues to enter the body from the intestines or intravenously. - commiecat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+26DJ: "Eva. Eva?"
Eva: "Yeah."
DJ: "What do you want to say?"
Eva: "I want to say that, umm, that those people that are drinkin' all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication."
DJ: "Yeah, we're aware of that. [inaudible] They signed releases so we're not responsible so it's okay."
DJ: "And if they get to the point where they have to throw up then they're going to throw up and they're out of the contest before they die. So that's good, right?"
DJ: [laughter]
Eva: "Awww, that's mean - I suppose so."
That's at about 1:00. I'm still listening but thought that would be pretty interesting to transcribe on here. F'd up, man. - Nobi-Wan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26Any time there is a public contest held like this you it's pretty much understood that the people hosting it should be the one's researching it. I mean, I'm sure the people entering the contest thought that the radio station did research on it and must have had EMT's or an ambulance on standby just in case something terrible would happen. All it takes is a simple Google search to find out what too much water would do to your body.
http://www.google.com/search?q=can+you+drink+too+much+water&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official - astroshot, on 10/12/2007, -2/+27I believe it would have been fine for everyone if they had just decided on gatorade as opposed to water.
- btgoss, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26That is the admission of guilt right there... Unless they get the O.J. jury out of retirement these folks are going to losing a court battle... (which they should)
- btgoss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+24That is the really heart breaking part of this... she sounds "nice"..
- brstilson, on 10/12/2007, -4/+23@spyrochaete
They may not have forced the people to drink, but they put the people in a situation where they were presented with a reward for endagering their lives, while at the same time the DJs failed to adequately warn them of the dangers of their actions. Water intoxication is not exactly common knowledge, as most people don't have to worry about it under normal circumstances (it's usually only an issue for long-distance runners and athletes who burn thousands of calories and day and need high amounts of moisture to avoid dehydration). It would be akin to having a russian roulette contest with real guns, but telling the contestants they were cap guns, despite repeated warnings to the contrary.
I also heard a lawyer confirm that waivers do not hold up in court. You cannot legally give someone permission to commit a crime against you.
"What's the charge?"
Manslaughter most likely. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21This is what they should have done, have the contestants drink a 2 liter bottle of water and first one to pee loses. Instead of having them drink like more than like 2 gallons and having someone die.
- ProximaC, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18The diff here is it's KNOWN that running across a freeway is extremely dangerous. You don't need to research that. Water intoxication isn't well known. The contestants were believing in good faith that this wasn't a dangerous stunt, and the radio show didn't do any research at all. And furthermore, once they learned that it WAS potentially dangerous, they kept right on going. That's where it became criminal negligence.
- wilf_brim, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15I have been following this for a while. That particular clip, where the nurse calls them, is pretty damning. She tells them that headache and nausa are common symptoms. Later on (I don't know if it is in this in this, I can't hear it since I'm at work) they woman that died (when she takes the tickets to the concert) says she has a pretty bad headache.
So:
1) They were informed that this practice was dangerous (note: a fraternity pledge died from a similar stunt a few years back.)
2) They were told what the symptoms were.
3) The decedant reported those symptoms.
4) They did nothing about it.
Clearly, the family is going to own the radio station after the litigation is over (civil liability). However, given the facts above, the DJs will be very, very lucky if they don't end up in jail (criminal liability) - 98acura, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15This also happened several years ago, on the Ramone and Frunkis show.. They had a young man dress up in a bunny suit and stuff his mouth with marshmellows, well he chocked and died. His family never got over it either.. But they were pulled off the air the next day...
These poor kids are gonna forever have to explain how their parents died.. err parent.. sad sad story.. - wild, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15Its the bias of anonymity. A story of a man who decided to smoke a cigarette, even after his doctor warned him an open flame would ignite the chemical being used to treat a skin condition, is a Darwin winner.
A woman who continues to drink water, even after hearing and discussing it might kill her, just to win a $250 video game machine, but does it on the radio, where you can HEAR her speak, is a sympathetic character.
Both died as a result of mistakes they were warned against the consequences of. The difference is her voice makes it real. Its a tragedy to be sure, but its a good example of a double standard. We know more details about her, like she has kids, so we like her. But we don't know any details of the human torch, so we don't humanize him, and thus a laugh. - CannedMango, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12The interesting thing is that while they're talking about possible death from water poisoning, one of the radio hosts somehow decides (in his head) that your body would reject the water by causing you to throw up. He then later repeats this discovery as if it were fact. Later in the recording you can hear that one of the interns has passed this "fact" along to the contestant they are talking to (I believe it's the woman who ends up dying). World class arrogance on these people.
- VipeNess, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14sorry, but that made me alittle bit upset listening.
- nixonrichard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12"This is an open-and-shut criminally negligent homicide case."
No, it's not. Negligent homicide generally refers to a pattern of negligent behavior towards someone whose health and well-being is in your control (read: children, disabled, elderly). Running a contest where healthy adults voluntarily compete is not grounds for a negligence charge. Also, for the radio station, the audio almost helps them because it clearly shows that they were under the impression that if you got sick from the water you would just "throw it up" and be okay. Even the nurse said "I guess so" to this question/claim. Definitely the radio station is liable, but not criminally. Her kids will probably have enough money to go to a good college (and hopefully never join a fraternity that substitutes water for alcohol in their hazing rituals). Sadly, they will never have their mom back. That is the saddest part of this tape . . . hearing "Jennifer." - fernando26, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12You can't get a Darwin award if you already have kids, right?
- DevinOlsen, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10I can't believe how many times it was mentioned to them how 'Dangerous this could be'... But yet they chose to continually ignore it...
It really upset me to hear her talk about her symptoms, and yet the Radio DJs were oblivious to what was really happening to her..
RIP Jennifer - nrvous250gt, on 10/12/2007, -3/+12Doesn't matter who signed what - YOU CANNOT DISCLAIM NEGLIGENCE.
- Novagenesis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10It's sad.
My local station played it for 2 mornings straight, talking about the health ramifications, the stupidities, etc....
But then they admitted they'd done the same exact contest.
I wonder how many people have done the same exact contest.
I'm not saying it's not a sad event... It is.
And her family deserves all the money they can get from the suit...and yes...money will never match the value of a loved one...
But you know who I think is more at fault than anyone else has the balls to say?
The FCC. They spend all kinda of time and money threatening radio stations for swears and sexual statements... Had that lady not died, up until this point, that contest would've been legal, where stripping for a Wii wouldn't have.
They need to get their priorities straight. I don't care if they ease back on the swears, but they sure as hell should've put safety restrictions on contests, even requiring a written approval from a doctor to write-off permission for any contest that goes...
Now if they did back off on the whole censorship thing a bit, it'd probably do the country a lot of good...
But the memory of Jennifer deserve that the FCC actually look at improving the safety on radio...
The problem is...either the knee-jerk will go too far, and the restrictions will be unreasonable.... or there won't be any, and nobody will die again for a while...
Then it'll happen again, maybe 5 years from now, maybe more...but then it'll be too late, again. - Novagenesis, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10@spyrochaete
Waivers offer some protection against civil suit.
Think about it. I can't sign a waiver saying "if you stab me, i don't hold you responsible"... This was a -criminal- offense.. The family might not get money (but they might..wrongful death is hard to waive), but the DJs are looking at court dates - Nocturnalis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Can't agree with you more on that statement. They knew they should have done more reseach. Perhaps maybe even have a peramedics on site or scrap the contest and think of something else that isn't life threatning. Common sense! If you think it's dangerous it probably is.
- DaysInTheDark, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Radio personalities are the douchiest of douchebags.
- CannedMango, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9@xSeed
unfortunately for this world, people only care about the suffering they can see.... or that the news media tells them to care about (and then they *really* care about it) - ldbjr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Funny, I don't remember Morning Edition on NPR ever having contests like these when I'm listening every morning. If people would evolve (just a little) and stop participating/listening to/watching all the ***** media that consumes the culture then we wouldn't have to hear about crap like this (or Fear Factor, or Jackass, or Britney/Paris/Lindsey, or....oh hell, it's just too depressing).
- geometry, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11If she is complaining about the pain why did she continue? I agree it's sad but it's wrong to blame anybody but the contestants. They weren't forced to do this and when you're feeling pain it's usually for a reason, stop what you're doing. Please people, start taking responsibility for your own actions!
- gcnaddict, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10"I'm not defending the radio station"
spyrochete, you clearly are despite the fact that they just fired you. How much guilt are you feeling for having killed that mother of three, or as you call her, that "bitch"?
I hope I'm part of the jury that convicts you.
oh and digg hates you. Have fun. - ringo380, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6One of the things that pissed me off the most about this was the ***** "statement" that they all issued, which sounded like it was written by an attorney, and did not attempt to take any responsibility whatsoever. It was simply a single paragraph, signed by all three DJ's, that offered their sincere "condolences", and asked that people keep her family in their thoughts and prayers. In other words, it was written as if they were just innocent bystanders that feel sorry for a girl that died, and nothing more.
These DJ's are pure trash. - gcnaddict, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11"nope, she died from voulentarily participating in a contest"
Wrong. The radio personalities encouraged her to keep drinking water and told her she'd throw up if she drank too much and reassured her that she would not die. She was told she would survive if she drank too much but she didn't. She died due to the negligence of the radio hosts. You fail. Mkay thanks. - g30ph, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5***** the FCC. They don't need to write new regulations. Everyone at that radio station who could have stopped this but didn't is culpable. As far as the FCC goes, kill anyone you want so long as you don't use foul or salacious language. And no fart jokes.
Damnit why'd you have to mention the FCC now i'm pissed off. The FCC deserves the same fate as the DEA. Two useless government bodies draining money away from more important things like education. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6One man saw it coming.
- bilbravo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Radio DJs say stuff like this all the time. Of course it sounds sick now, because we know someone died. Hindsight is always 20-20. These people obviously knew it was dangerous, but don't think they are all laughs about it--especially now.
- perryge, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Dude, sadness is sadness. Having more sadness elsewhere (which may, to be fair, be wrongly ignored) doesn't make the story any less sad or worthy of attention.
- g30ph, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5They should have drank Brawndo! It's got electrolytes!
- LordDshyzL, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6This just in, Water, Guns, and Video games kill people, not people.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Because of everything said on the air, and their obvious attitude that they didn't care about the safety of the contestant...none of these people will work in radio again, and the station may cease to exists. Because they are soooooooooooo going to be writing some HUGE checks.
- swooshonln, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4and about 3000 were born, so what? You don't care either.
- soulscreme, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Umm, actually, Fear Factor fully researches every challenge they propose and ensure that death is not a possibility. Even the intense physical challenges have rescue crews off to the side. You know, things this show should have done.
- Razerious, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4That's probably the worst analogy I've ever heard, spyro.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I can't even listen to it. The whole thing is really freekin tragic. Three kids are without their mom now and yeah maybe she wasn't the sharpest knife in the draw but there are, bet on it, a lot of people who have no idea you can die from water.
- blackkbot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Quite a few actually.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5uhh, yeah, don't do that anymore mmmkay?
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