Beer Contest Winner Dies After Allegedly Consuming 6 Liters Of Alcohol

A drinking contest victory turned ugly when the winner became unable to function not long after hoisting his trophy. Joaquín Alcaraz Gracia consumed six liters of beer in the span of 20 minutes at a contest in Spain. Shortly after the celebration began, he vomited and could not stop. MSN reports that he went into cardiac arrest.

Attendees called for help when the 45-year-old was unable to sit upright and was unresponsive as they believed him to be suffering from alcohol poisoning, the Huffington Post reported. Those in attendance said Gracia appeared "fine" during the competition. Though he was vomitting, he appeared to be getting better, according to witnesses, though paramedics proved otherwise, the Local reported.

"He vomited a lot but I sat with him for ten minutes, and he was sleeping and snoring away," municipality vice president Pedro Rodríguez told Hoy newspaper.

Gracia died shortly after arriving at the hospital. His alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor in his death, though officials have not made a statement on it. Mayor José Manuel Gracia went back to the scene and said he actually only consumed two or three liters. The drinking contest has been a part of a festival in Spain, taking place annually for 15 years. In light of recent events, however, festivities have been suspended.