FCC Action Sought in Water Death Case (AP) - SACRAMENTO, Calif.-Lawyers for the family of a woman who died after drinking nearly two gallons of water in an on-air radio contest are demanding that the Federal Communications Commission terminate the station's license. A lawyer for the family of Jennifer Lea Strange said KDND showed "wanton disregard" for the safety of her and others who entered the Jan. 12 contest, which offered a Nintendo Wii gaming console to the participant who drank the most water without going to the bathroom. "Despite having a distended abdomen and complaining of significant symptoms of a headache and lightheadedness, the radio station allowed her to leave the premises without any type of assistance or concern. Ms. Strange went home, slipped into a coma and died," attorney Roger Dreyer wrote in a letter Sunday to FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin. FCC spokesman Clyde Ensslin said Monday that he didn't know whether the agency had received the letter and couldn't comment further. Charles Sipkins, spokesman for KDND's parent company, Entercom/Sacramento, declined to comment. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Strange, a 28-year-old mother of three. Her family's lawyers have threatened to file a wrongful-death suit as early as Thursday against the Sacramento-area station, which has fired 10 employees over the incident. Water intoxication occurs when overdrinking dilutes the sodium in the bloodstream, causing the brain to swell and push against the skull. It can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and, in severe cases, seizures, coma and death. A listener called KDND during the contest, dubbed "Hold your Wee for a Wii," and warned that it could be fatal. One of the DJs responded that participants signed releases, "so we're not responsible." 2007-01-23T00:30:39Z |