The mother of a man whose death may have been caused by a drinking game called Neknominate has described her devastation.
Stephen Brookes, 29, died on Sunday after a night out with friends in Cardiff at the weekend. Paramedics were called to his address in Rumney, where they found that Brookes had died in his sleep.
Police confirmed that they were investigating the death, which is not thought to be suspicious, and had received information regarding Neknominate.
The craze involves participants filming themselves drinking – "necking" – alcohol, nominating someone to follow them and then posting a video of it on Facebook. Participants are often dared to outdo the exploits of those who nominated them.
Brookes' mother, Paula, described her son as kind and generous. "The community here will not be the same without him – he would do anything to help anybody.
"I want to thank all of Stephen's friends for all the kindness they have shown. Lots of his friends have brought cards."
It is believed Brookes collapsed after trying to drink a pint of vodka. A video of him taking part in Neknominate was posted on Facebook but removed after he died. Friends of Brookes called on people not to take part in the game. Sofia Caffell said: "It really has to be stopped before this happens again. Let this be a lesson to everybody."
Family friend Heather Morris added: "I was stunned to hear of Stephen's death. I have so many lovely memories of him … at school. He will be missed in Rumney."
Police and student groups in the UK and Ireland have previously warned about the dangers of taking part in Neknominate amid concern that it may be implicated in three other deaths in the UK and Ireland.
In Ireland, Jonny Byrne and Ross Cummings died after apparently trying to complete their challenges. Byrne, 19, drowned after drinking a pint and jumping into the River Barrow in Carlow. His brother Patrick urged others to stop playing the game, saying: "He thought he had to beat the competition and after he necked his pint he jumped into the river.
"If people have any decency and respect, they will refrain from any more of this stupid Neknomination."
Dublin DJ Ross Cummings, 22, died after reportedly carried out a Neknomination. According to the Daily Mirror, the first UK victim of the game died at the weekend. The paper's website reported that former grammar school boy and youth hostel worker Isaac Richardson, 20, drank a cocktail of wine, whisky, vodka and lager before collapsing and dying in the early hours of Sunday.
Eric Appleby, the chief executive of campaign group Alcohol Concern, said: "It is devastating for family and friends to lose someone in this way. This lethal game shows just how hard we have to work to de-normalise binge-drinking among young people. They take their cues from society's attitude to drinking and it's this we have to change for all our sakes."
South Wales police said its inquiries into Brookes' death were continuing. A force spokeswoman said: "We are investigating the sudden death of a 29-year-old man from Rumney during the early hours of 9 February. Officers investigating his death on behalf of HM coroner have received information regarding the so-called neck and nominate game. Inquiries are continuing and a post- mortem is taking place."
