US teen dies of caffeine overdose

MIAMI: A caffeinated drink, a coffee and an energy soda proved a deadly combination for a South Carolina teenager who died within two hours of consuming them, triggering warnings about the risks of caffeine overdose.

Davis Allen Cripe died on April 26 from a “caffeine-induced cardiac event causing a probable arrhythmia”, the Richland County coroner’s office wrote in a statement.

Two hours before he collapsed, Cripe drank a cafe latte, a large Diet Mountain Dew and an energy drink.

Richland County coroner Gary Watts on Tuesday said such occurrences are “highly unusual”.

“It was mainly due to the time period that he ingested a rapid amount of caffeine that affected his heart.”

Watts said Cripe had collapsed just 15 minutes after taking the energy drink.

The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400mg of caffeine daily, which is equivalent to four or five cups of coffee. AFP