Man almost dies after winning eggnog skulling contest

A Utah man nearly died from a lung infection after being pressured into an eggnog-chugging contest at a party.

Ryan Roche, 32, was about to leave his office Christmas party on December 10 when his co-workers broke out the eggnog, New York Daily News reports.

After being goaded by a colleague, and with a voucher to a steak house on the line, Mr Roche skulled a carton in 12 seconds, shattering the previous record of 22 seconds.

He said he immediately knew there was a problem.

The Lehi resident said he was no stranger to skulling competitions, but as soon as this one ended, he said he couldn't breathe.

A few hours later he decided to go to hospital, where he remained for three days.

Breathing in the eggnog had caused an infection in his lungs which could have led to him "dry drowning".

"Initially I felt very nauseous and pretty sick," he said. "After I was put on antibiotics and an IV [drip] I was no longer nauseous."

"The next few days my body would change from having a fever to shivering non-stop," he said. "It was like every hour on the hour it would change."

Roche said he was back to feeling like his old self a week after being discharged from the hospital.

His unusual problem also made him a celebrity inside the hospital.

"I can't tell you how many doctors or nurses would walk into my room and say, 'Eggnog, huh?' Then they'd say, 'Well, at least you won,'" he said.

So how does he feel about the sweet beverage now?

"I was never a big fan of it to begin with," he said. "I could drink it again, but it's not my drink of choice."

And though he is proud of his record, Roche said he will not be defending his title at future parties.

"No chance," he said. "Even if someone challenged me to do it, my wife wouldn't allow it."

Source: New York Daily News