Man dies after supermarket vodka-drinking competition

A Russian man has died after downing three litres of vodka in a drinking competition organised by a supermarket in Volgodonsk, south west Russia.

Six men were diagnosed with severe intoxication after the contest, which offered 10 bottles of vodka as a prize

The man was among five competitors diagnosed with severe intoxication and rushed to intensive care after participating in the ‘Who can drink more vodka’ challenge, Metro reports.

In total 40 men entered the contest, which offered 10 bottles of vodka as a prize.

According to reports, staff at the store laid out a spread of bread and salami to line their stomachs before they began the tournament, consuming vodka “in buckets”.

Doctor Mikhail Kravchenko, who treated the casualty, told Metro: “He managed to drink about three litres of vodka, which most likely wouldn’t have ended in death if it was a normal person.”

Police are said to be probing the organisers and considering criminal charges against shop bosses.

While the store is believed to have breached the country’s advertising laws, which forbid the promotion of heavy drinking, the organisers may evade prosecution because the competitors participated voluntarily.