Boy in coma after drinking litre of spirits

A 13-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after downing a one-litre bottle of spirits in 30 minutes at a sports training camp.

The boy was found in an alcohol-induced coma while at a New Zealand Snowsports junior training camp in Wanaka on Saturday night.

In what is believed to be a peer-pressure drinking incident, the boy consumed a one-litre bottle of 35 percent proof Jagermeister in about half an hour, the Otago Daily Times reported.

The amount is equivalent to 28 standard drinks.

Wanaka police were investigating an alleged theft of a bottle of alcohol from the bar of a backpackers by a 15-year-old boy.

Constable Greg Nolet said reports from other camp participants indicated the boy had drunk the allegedly stolen bottle of spirits after it was produced by another boy.

People "at some stage" needed to be held responsible for the consequences of "peer pressure", Mr Nolet said.

The boy was being brought out of a coma in Dunedin hospital and was in a stable condition.

- NZPA