Ketut Ardika, 48, was rushed to the Emergency Room of Buleleng Hospital at 9am yesterday morning, his body weak from vomiting after reportedly consuming a Coolant isotonic drink.
Ardika’s eldest son, Gede Ari Suardika, 25, said that when the incident occurred his father had been in his home village of Jinengdalem helping to make a ceremonial canopy for his recently deceased aunt, Nengah Suaning. Feeling thirsty, Ardika purchased a Coolant branded soft drink from a shop owned by one of his relatives, Komang Suriasa, but after taking his first sip, felt immediately unwell, according to an article by Bali Express.
“He just drank a little, and it seemed like as soon as the liquid hit his throat, he started spewing. He said his throat was burning. Three minutes later, he went limp and his lips were blushed and swollen,” commented Suardika to the source.
According to local reports, despite the drink being sealed with an expiration date of 2019, it smelled like paint thinner and the victim’s vomit burned like kerosene.
Ardika’s condition deteriorated so quickly that his family rushed him to hospital for medical treatment. According to Buleleng hospital PR representative, Ketut Budiantara, Ardika’s condition is now stable but his symptoms were concurrent with poisoning.
“The dizziness and vomiting that occurred after the patient drank from the bottle are characteristic indications of poisoning, though this is not confirmed yet. What is clear is that the patient’s condition has improved,” said Budiantara to Tribun Bali.
The packaged drink has taken into evidence by Buleleng Police. Head of Buleleng Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Mikael Hutabarat commented to Tribun Bali, “It smells really abrasive, but we haven’t been able to ascertain what the content is. We will send it to be investigated.” The bottle will later be sent to Denpasar Forensic Laboratory for further tests.
