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Second mercury victim a hoax, say police

POLICE in Beijing said the second victim of mercury-spiked Sprite, a 13-year-old boy, accidentally poisoned himself with a broken thermometer led his parents to blame drinks giant Coca-Cola.

Wang Cheng, the victim, broke a thermometer on January 17. He drank the quicksilver out of curiosity and started to feel ill. He then opened a can of Sprite and poured the remaining mercury in so that his parents wouldn't blame him for breaking the thermometer, police said.

They said the boy was not guilty of anything and will not be punished because he was a minor.

Wang was the second victim of mercury-spiked Sprite in Beijing. He and the first victim Ma Sai's story caught headlines for months and undermined the reputation of Coca-Cola's products.

The first Sprite poisoning was also found a fake. Police detained two people two days ago over the first incident where the victim decided to cover up for the real poisoner, his lover.

A spokesman for Coca-Cola said it was relieved to hear the police's statement. The company said it had no plan to ask the two to repay their medical bills.

 

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