Man swallows cigarette lighter for bet

A lighter was removed from a man's stomach by surgeons in East China on Wednesday after he swallowed it to win an 800 yuan ($128) bet.

A co-worker said they were at a nearby restaurant when someone said "for fun" he would pay 800 yuan to anyone who swallowed a lighter.

The 20-something restaurant worker was worried about paying his rent and took the bet. He was not paid.

Co-workers rushed him to the PLA 113 Hospital in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

"It's fortunate the lighter was taken out fast and did not wound his stomach," a hospital doctor said. "I wanted to warn him against impulsive behavior, but he left immediately after surgery."

Doctors said the lighter might pierce the stomach if it was not removed quickly.

The doctor asked for 200 yuan ($32.18), but the patient and his pals never returned to the hospital.