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Nitrogen cocktail destroyed birthday woman's stomach | Nitrogen cocktail destroyed birthday woman's stomach |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Gaby Scanlon was out celebrating her 18th birthday at a wine bar when she was served a cocktail that would ruin her health and her life. | Gaby Scanlon was out celebrating her 18th birthday at a wine bar when she was served a cocktail that would ruin her health and her life. |
The Nitro-Jagermeister shot contained liquid nitrogen, put in the drink to create a cloud of smoke in the glass. | The Nitro-Jagermeister shot contained liquid nitrogen, put in the drink to create a cloud of smoke in the glass. |
She drank the shot and collapsed in agony as the nitrogen ripped through her stomach wall. | She drank the shot and collapsed in agony as the nitrogen ripped through her stomach wall. |
Two years on from drinking the cocktail at Oscar's Wine Bar in Lancaster, Ms Scanlon said her life has changed beyond all recognition. | |
She was rushed to hospital where a CT scan revealed a large perforation in her stomach. | She was rushed to hospital where a CT scan revealed a large perforation in her stomach. |
Ms Scanlon, of Heysham, Lancashire, spent three weeks in hospital where her stomach was removed and doctors connected her oesophagus directly to her small bowel. | |
She no longer enjoys eating, cannot tell when she is full and has to avoid certain food. | |
Oscar's Wine Bar was fined £100,000 at Preston Crown Court on Thursday after admitting a failure to ensure the drink was safe. | Oscar's Wine Bar was fined £100,000 at Preston Crown Court on Thursday after admitting a failure to ensure the drink was safe. |
The firm's director Andrew Dunn, of Old Earswick, York, pleaded not guilty to his part in the company's failings. | The firm's director Andrew Dunn, of Old Earswick, York, pleaded not guilty to his part in the company's failings. |
The prosecution said it would offer no evidence against him if he made a £20,000 contribution to the court costs prior to sentencing. | The prosecution said it would offer no evidence against him if he made a £20,000 contribution to the court costs prior to sentencing. |
A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: "We took the view that in the public interest it was not necessary to prosecute Mr Dunn, taking into account the interests of the family." | A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: "We took the view that in the public interest it was not necessary to prosecute Mr Dunn, taking into account the interests of the family." |
However, Ms Scanlon said the size of the fine imposed on Oscar's was irrelevant, since it would not restore her health. | |
In a statement, she said: "What happened has had a devastating impact on my health, and nothing is going to change that, but I am relieved that the court case has finally come to an end. | |
'Crippling pain' | 'Crippling pain' |
"I would never have touched the drink if I'd known what it would do and I would urge other people to avoid them. It's just not worth the risk. | |
"If there's even the smallest chance the same thing could happen to someone else, then these drinks shouldn't be served at all." | |
Patricia Noone, the family's solicitor, said Ms Scanlon had been an ordinary teenager with a bright future, but what happened "completely changed her life". | |
Ms Noone said: "She can only eat little and often and sometimes has to get up and snack several times during the night." | Ms Noone said: "She can only eat little and often and sometimes has to get up and snack several times during the night." |
She described her client as a "brave and determined young woman" but added "there is no doubt that the effect on her has been severe". | |
Risks of liquid nitrogen | Risks of liquid nitrogen |
She has seen all her friends go off to university while she struggles to get her life back on track. | |
Meanwhile Ms Scanlon is unable to work due to her lack of energy and frequent illness which means "crippling pain could attack her at any time". | |
She also faced a barrage of criticism after giving a newspaper interview, with commentators wrongly assuming she had been on a drinking bender. | |
Ms Noone warned: "Other bars are still serving these cocktails." | Ms Noone warned: "Other bars are still serving these cocktails." |
Terrie Metcalfe, chair of Lancaster City Council's licensing committee, said it was "ludicrous" these drinks were sold". | Terrie Metcalfe, chair of Lancaster City Council's licensing committee, said it was "ludicrous" these drinks were sold". |
"I can't see what the attraction was in the first place and how stupid they were to sell this drink. The poor girl didn't know what she was drinking." | "I can't see what the attraction was in the first place and how stupid they were to sell this drink. The poor girl didn't know what she was drinking." |
Miss Metcalfe said Oscar's is regularly visited by licensing officers to ensure it complies with health and safety regulations, but added: "I have every sympathy for the girl as her life is in tatters." | Miss Metcalfe said Oscar's is regularly visited by licensing officers to ensure it complies with health and safety regulations, but added: "I have every sympathy for the girl as her life is in tatters." |
David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has called for a change in legislation to outlaw the drinks. He said they are still being sold "up and down the country." | David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has called for a change in legislation to outlaw the drinks. He said they are still being sold "up and down the country." |
"It was very sad for Gaby," he said. "But it sent out a message that these drinks are dangerous." |
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