AN engineer died after drinking too much water when his pint was spiked with ecstasy. Matthew Ellis, 29, collapsed at his dad Ken Ellis's home in Lowedges, Sheffield. He had been out with pals, and his family believes his drink was spiked with a pill. When he got to his dad's home he downed an endless amount of water, sparking a rare brain condition called extrapontine myelinolysis. He was rushed to the nearby Northern General Hospital and spent the next 32 weeks there, before suffering a chest infection and passing away. His mum Mauree Ellis, 62, today warned others about the dangers of drinking too much water. She said: "There is no health warning, water is good for you if you have a certain amount". Tragically Matthew woke up three days after being admitted to hospital with brain damage, but lapsed into a coma. He died on August 4 this year. Nutrition expert Mayur Ranchordas, who lectures in physiology and nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University, said water intoxication could have devastating effects. He said: "Extrapontine myelinolysis is a very rare condition. Too much water is actually very, very bad for you. "Hyponatraemia is quite common among recreational runners on half marathon and marathon events."