YouTuber dies attempting viral E. coli onion eating challenge

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A local YouTube creator has died after attempting a viral online challenge to consume as many E. coli infected onion slivers on a McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburger as possible.

Alex Bigby, 19, was found unresponsive and covered in his own bloody fecal matter and vomit by a friend in his apartment early this morning.

“I went over to his place to show him this crazy new TikTok trend where kids are nailing themselves to homemade crosses like Jesus,” said Matt Walker, Bigby’s longtime friend and co-creator of their massively popular YouTube channel. “When I walked in, I knew something was wrong because he’s a neat freak and the whole place smelled like shit.”

Bigby posted a video to his YouTube channel yesterday exclaiming that he’d “crushed the E. coli challenge” by eating approximately three entire onions that were known to contain the E. coli virus on eight quarter pounder cheeseburgers and “didn’t feel a thing.” Unfortunately, it appears the young influencer didn’t understand it takes about 3-4 days on average for symptoms to start.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this again, but do not ingest items that will cause you harm or kill you,” said Dr. Calvin Cooper, a pediatric surgeon who went viral himself a few years ago after posting an expletive-laden tirade about the moronic behavior of eating Tide pods. “Stop being dumb for internet clout. Your life is worth more than a few likes from strangers on the internet.”

The Center for Disease Control has launched an investigation into the E. coli-tainted produce that has, at the time of writing this article, killed 1 person and hospitalized 22 others with 75 total known instances of infection across 13 states. Taylor Farms, one of the farms responsible for providing onions to McDonalds in the affected area, has issued a voluntary recall of their vegetables.

With the recall, in conjunction with the efforts of the CDC, it is believed the risk for future cases is low. However, the CDC is still encouraging young, aspiring social media stars to pull their heads out of their asses and use their brains before doing dumb shit online.