Two UK deaths linked to lethal ‘neknomination’ online fad
Two deaths in the UK over the weekend are linked to the new “neknomination” viral drinking game that encourages the consumption of dangerous amounts of alcohol.
The highly dangerous new drinking craze, which has already led to two deaths in Ireland, has been linked to the death of a 29-year-old man in Cardiff.
South Wales Police are awaiting post mortem results after a sudden and unexplained death of a Cardiff man on Sunday morning. They say they have received information about the viral “Neknomination” craze in relation to the death.
The drinking game started out in Australia and involves filming yourself downing a drink and nominating someone else to outdo them.
If people have any decency and respect, they will refrain from any more of this stupid NekNomination
Patrick Byrne
Videos posted to YouTube have shown people drinking entire bottles of spirits, swallowing live goldfish, eating a live baby chick and stripping off in a supermarket.
BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Show was interupted lask week by an audience member who performed a “neknomination” live on air, downing a small bottle of alcohol.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “We are investigating the sudden death of a 29-year-old man from Rumney.
“Officers investigating his death on behalf of HM Coroner have received information regarding the so-called neck and nominate game. Inquiries are continuing and a post-mortem is taking place.”
The death of a former grammar school boy, Isaac Richardson, 20, has today been linked to the neknomination game.
He died at a South London backpackers’ hostel after reportedly being dare to drink a lethal mix of alcoholic drinks including wine, whiskey and vodka.
Deaths in Ireland
On 1 February, Irish teenager, Jonny Byrne, died after jumping in a river after playing the dangerous game.
His brother Patrick later went on to Facebook to urge others to stop taking part in the craze; “He thought he had to beat the competition and after he necked his pint he jumped into the river.
“If people have any decency and respect, they will refrain from any more of this stupid NekNomination.”
A second Irish man, Ross Cummins, 22, was found unconscious at his home in Dublin the same day as Mr Byrne, in what is also believed to be an alcohol related death.
Facebook has rejected calls from the Irish government to ban pages used to promote the drinking game.
Irish communications minister Pat Rabbitte demanded the website, which is headquartered in Dublin, move to end the spread of videos promoting dangerous levels of alcohol consumption.
However, Facebook responded; “We do not tolerate content which is directly harmful, for example bullying, but controversial or offensive behaviour is not necessarily against our rules.”