Coroner: Water Overdose Killed H.S. Football
Player
The Bakersfield Christian High School player who died after football practice died of a water overdose, the coroner reported
Thursday.
Patrick Allen was 17 when he died Aug. 16.
The cause of death was "complications of electrolyte imbalance including hyponatremia due to excess liquid ingestion during
marked physical exertion," the coroner said.
Mayo Clinic online describes hyponatremia this way:
"When your blood sodium is too low, your cells malfunction - causing swelling. In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop
gradually over several days or weeks - and symptoms are typically moderate. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in coma and death.
"Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood is diluted by excess water. Hyponatremia may result from medical
conditions that impair excretion of water from your body, or by a significant increase in water consumption, such as by athletes
competing in marathons and other high-endurance events."
The entire Coroner's news release follows:
CAUSE OF DEATH FOR FOOTBALL PLAYER
NEWS RELEASE
KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
CORONER DIVISION
This news release is prepared under the direction of the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator for the convenience of news
reporters. Facts concerning news events of major importance, which occur after the preparation of this release, will be made
available to reporters at their request as soon as it is possible to do.
DECEDENT'S NAME: Patrick Allen CASE #: C-1818-08
CITY OF RESIDENCE: Bakersfield, CA AGE: 17 Years
TYPE OF CASE: Accident
DATE OF INCIDENT: 08/14/2008 TIME: Unknown
LOCATION: Residence
DATE OF DEATH: 08/16/2008 TIME: 0925
PLACE OF DEATH: Mercy Southwest Hospital INVESTIGATING AGENCY: None
Details:
Upon completion of extensive toxicology studies and review of medical records, the cause of death was determined to be
due to complications of electrolyte imbalance including hyponatremia due to excess liquid ingestion during marked physical
exertion.
Comments:
DONNY YOUNGBLOOD, Sheriff-Coroner
By: Dawn Ratliff, Deputy Coroner
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008
Time: 2:31:02 PM
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