Man dies after drinking 56 shots, bar owner on trial for manslaughter
The owner of a French bar is on trial for manslaughter after one of his punters suffered a heart attack and later died after downing 56 shots of spirits.
The man, only known as Renaud, was at the Le Starter bar in Clermont-Ferrand, in central France when he allegedly tried to beat the bar’s previous record of 55 shots.
The tragic incident happened in October 2014 and the case has now been brought forward by the deceased man’s daughter, reports the Independant.
Renaud, 56, drank the first 44 shots, and according to his daughter, he was then encouraged to keep going by the landlord of the bar, who whispered in his ear ‘only 12 to go’.
He drank the remaining shots, consuming just over a litre of spirits, and had a cardiac arrest after being carried back to his home.
Renaud was rushed to hospital but sadly died the next day.
Devastated daughter Julie decided to bring the case forward and now the landlord of the bar is on trial to see if he bears any responsibility towards the death.
Antoine Portal, who is representing Julie at court, told BFM TV: "The owner served the father of my client when he was not in a fit state to understand what he was doing."
"It is not known whether he would still be alive if he had not drunk the last 12 shots, but by downing those last shots, he was left with no chance."
But the bar owner's lawyer, Renaud Portejoie, said: "No one forced the client to take on the challenge."
Speaking to La Montagne, Julie said: "I really feel that in the end the boss bears a real responsibility in all this.
"I hope we will know the truth, and that this drama will open more people's eyes to the dangers of alcohol."
Morning news break – May 6
