Another Radio Contest Gone Horribly, Horribly Wrong

You may remember the 2007 “Wee for Wii” contest conducted by a California radio station that resulted in the death of a contestant.  When Jennifer Strange died of acute water intoxication, radio groups all over the world sent messages to their stations: “Don’t you EVER try something like this.”

Yet these unfortunate incidents still occur, including one in Vancouver.  From VancouverDesi:

The wife of a Surrey man whochoked and suffered serious injuries during a food-eating contest at a 2012 Diwali event is suing the organizers for damages.

In November 2012, Samaljit Aulakh suffered a severe brain injury after he participated in the contest organized by ethnic radio station RedFM, according to the lawsuit filed on his behalf by his wife, Kamaljeet Aulakh.

He had eaten a number of gulab jamuns, a doughy Indian sweet, and was identified as being the first contestant to finish.

But when he stood upright, he began to show signs of distress and the broadcaster advised him that if he threw up, he would not win the prize iPhone, says the notice of civil claim.

An employee dressed as a mascot approached him and gave him water, resulting in Aulakh, 37, aspirating the food, falling to the floor and choking on the food, says the lawsuit.

Aulakh quickly lost consciousness and suffered the brain injury. He has undergone surgery and continuous hospitalization and has been totally or nearly totally paralyzed, the suit claims.

Continue reading.  Take notice, radio promotions people.