A YOUNG mum has tragically died after taking part in a dangerous drinking challenge during a nightclub birthday bash.
Maria Jose Ardila, 23, suffered alcohol poisoning after she took up a challenge to race against time and drink six rounds of different liquors for a £300 cash prize.
The young agro-industrial engineering student had accepted a challenge from the nightclub during a party in Cali, Colombia.
According to her family, Maria was hoping to win the money and help out a friend with financial struggles.
Footage shows her drinking several different alcoholic beverages in rapid succession as part of the contest.
At first, she is seen kneeling while another person pours alcohol straight into her mouth.
She was then seen standing around a table with several people and drinking more alcohol before taking several shots through a plastic straw.
She can be heard saying: “It tastes disgusting.”
Maria is said to have collapsed and choked on her own vomit towards the end of the challenge.
Her pals said they rushed her to a hospital after it appeared that she had stopped breathing.
It is understood that Maria arrived at the hospital without vital signs.
Doctors attempted to revive her several times and later confirmed that she had suffered severe brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
She was declared brain dead and was disconnected from life support after five days of emergency treatment.
Dad Andres Ardila told local media he suspects the drink might have been spiked.
He accused the nightclub of negligence, claiming it did not have paramedics or an ambulance on site and that staff failed to assist his daughter immediately.
He said: “No one attended to her. Her friends had to take her outside to look for help while drivers refused to stop, thinking she was just drunk.”
The nightclub issued a statement expressing its condolences and saying it would cooperate with the authorities.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that a prosecutor from the Cali Life Unit has taken charge of the inquiry and that investigators are collecting physical evidence to determine if any criminal act occurred.
Toxicology tests have been ordered to establish whether the drinks Maria consumed were adulterated.
Maria was the mother of a 10-month-old baby and married to a man reportedly living in the US.
Manuel Pineda, president of the Valle del Cauca Bar Association, urged the public to avoid viral drinking challenges.
He added that the group would begin first-aid training and campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption.
The investigation remains ongoing.
