Posted on 12/31/2002 8:07:48 AM PST by Rodney King
Absinthe kills drinker
By LYNDSEY WEATHERALL
A DAD of three died after downing nine shots of the super-strong liquor absinthe at a family party.
Albie Webb, 49, was found unconscious on a sofa hours after sinking the green spirit. He was rushed to hospital but medics could not save him.
Tests found his stomach held FIVE TIMES the level of alcohol needed to cause death.
Albie’s absinthe was brought back from Greece by pals and given to him as a gift.
The drink contains at least 70 per cent alcohol — twice as much as regular spirits.
Albie, of Litherland, Liverpool, downed the nine shots in five hours, not realising drinkers should never have more than two.
Albie’s dad Bert, 75, yesterday called for absinthe to be banned in Britain.
He said: “It shouldn’t be allowed into the country.”
Absinthe is made using the herb wormwood and is said to cause hallucinations. It has been outlawed in many parts of Europe since the early 1900s.
Liverpool coroner’s court recorded a verdict of death by misadventure on Albie.
But Bert insisted: “Albie’s death was an accident. He didn’t know there was risk involved.”
Last year an inquest heard Steve Dunbavin, 18, died after drinking absinthe from a yard glass at a Liverpool party.
But a London firm that imports the liquor insisted yesterday that there was no need to put special warnings on the drink.
Alex Spirov, of La Boheme, said: “The proof label is warning enough. People should know not to drink too much.”
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That's 2.25%. I find that a bit hard to believe. Apparently he had enough, tho...
Albie’s dad Bert, 75, yesterday called for absinthe to be banned in Britain. He said: “It shouldn’t be allowed into the country.” [...] But Bert insisted: “Albie’s death was an accident. He didn’t know there was risk involved.”
Here's another case where in light of lack of education, the solution to some is to ban. In case anyone was wondering where civil rights have gone.
If you choose to ignore the warning on the label that the stuff is for external use only, try mixing it into punch. Or, swirl a bit around in your mouth, and then use your breath to clean the oven...
Nine shots in five hours? I don't care if he was drinking 100% alchohol, nine shots in five hours is not enough alchohol for alcholol poisoning.
I suspect that there was a lot more going on than just the absinthe. A bottle of Gin, perhaps?
They must be the size of tumblers.
I've consumed more than that in the same time period on more than one occasion. I'm sure millions of others have as well. In fact there are thousands of alcoholics who do this every day. I'm sure there were plenty of people in Liverpool who drank as much or more than Albie did on the night in question.
It wasn't the absinthe. It was Albie.
That's 2.25%. I find that a bit hard to believe. Apparently he had enough, tho...
That was the percentage in his stomach. His blood alcohol was undoubtedly much lower but appears to have been high enough to do him in.
If someone drinks a sufficient quantity of high-octane booze quickly enough, the body's defense mechanism (passing out) can't react in time to save him.
Drinking hard liquor from a yard glass? I may be insensitive but that kid got what he deserved. Ever done a yard? Even with beer in it, it really wipes you out.
There are indeed risks involved with being an idiot.
If he did infact have FIVE times the amount of alcohol needed to cause death, he consumed alot of other drinks in addition to 9 shots of 140 proof Absinthe over a five hour period. Perhaps that alcohol should be banned as well.
I'm supposed to get a belated Christmas gift of moonshine, which I've never had before. Remind me not to do shots. Thanks
The proper way to drink shine is not to do shots but just drink out of the jar. Doesn't take much... Invite me over I'll show you how its done.(GRIN!)
Course some of my weak kneed friends will soften it with water or coke...
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