BERLIN - A man who drank a litre of vodka rather than handing it over to airport authorities under new rules nearly died, AP reports.

The 64-year-old did not want to have to relinquish his spirits or pay a fee to check in his carry-on luggage as cargo, so downed the bottle at a Nuremberg airport security check.

A doctor was called as the man was quickly unable to stand or otherwise function, police said.

- NZ HERALD STAFF