Dangers of 'Steaming Cocktails'

"That's really gruesome." This, a reaction from student, Miss A, in Bournemouth speaking about a horrific news story involving one girl's loss of a stomach. 

Gaby Scanlon was celebrating her 18th Birthday in Lancaster in early October when she suffered excruciating pains after drinking two 'nitrogen cocktails'. Mixed with Jagermeister, this lethal steaming cocktail led to Gaby having her stomach removed. Some weeks on, she is now considering suing the bar that served it to her.

 Mrs B, 46, drug counsellor and mother from Poole said "this is awful" and she is "constantly warning" her 10 year old daughter about "drugs and things". Regarding Oscar's Bar, who served this drink, she adds "it's not good is it? I don't know how they're allowed to do it, quite honestly.

"It's just a question of the government has to put a stop to it."

Mr C, 42 year old Draftsman from Torquay backed up her point  by saying: "It's stupid of the bar and they should test it first or train their bar staff properly."

 Mr D, 74, from Hemel Hempsted thinks "they didn't realise what they were doing, the bar people. they didn't realise the problems it created." In addition, he believes that she just wants some money and that Gaby's intentions to sue are "a bit wrong...I don't think they should get anything out of it because she was stupid".

Other opinions on the prospect of Gaby suing came from Miss E, a 15 year old school girl, who thinks she should "try to sue but she should also understand that she's partially to blame. She should be responsible for what she's drinking." Miss E and friend Miss F, also 15 and both from Basingstoke, have been warned by family members to be careful when out and to cover drinks. Mrs G, 68, from Reading, adds that "a lot of people are aware of it and I always warn my grandchildren to cover their drinks."

Mrs H, 48 year old teaching assistant from Reading thinks this "needs to be highlighted in the press". She also thinks we "should have camera's in the bars" to make sure they know what is being served.

There are differing views on who's fault this "tragic" incident was. Mr I, 25 year old student thinks that "if the girl was drunk when she drank it, it's her friends' fault, but if she was sober, it's her own fault, because she should know what she's drinking." However, Mr J, 20 year old student living on Oxford Road, thinks it's partially the fault of all 3; hers, her friends and Oscar's Bar; adding, "I'd sue them, sue them for everything they're worth".