Girl collapses after drinking high energy 'shot'

The effects of a high-powered energy drink are thought to be what caused a teenage girl to collapse at her Wellington school last week.

The 15-year-old Heretaunga College pupil collapsed in a school hallway on Thursday and needed to be treated by paramedics after she drank a high energy "shot" bought from a nearby dairy.

She complained that her heart was "beating really fast" moments before she collapsed, fellow pupils said.

"I wouldn't like to say she collapsed because of that, but she had had one of those drinks," principal Bruce Hart told the Dominion Post.

The school was told the shots would be immediately removed from Ankur Vintel Food Market.

The drinks contain more than twice the amount of caffeine of an average cup of coffee.

People are warned not to drink them if they want to sleep within six hours and told that the drinks can increase heart rates.

The 60ml can of NOS reads: "Take a closer look at this energy shot. You've just picked up one of the most potent energy concoctions on the planet. You came here looking for an energy hit we're gonna give you one to remember."

Energy drinks sold as "formulated caffeinated beverages" may contain up to 320mg of caffeine a litre.

However, if they are sold as dietary supplements, they are not subject to the same restrictions.

- NZPA