A spectator was killed after an athlete competing in a track meet at the University of Colorado Springs accidentally blew a hammer into a spectator, striking a man Sunday.
The club sports track and field meet was held at the Mountain Lion Fieldhouse campus for Colorado high school students. Around 9:30 a.m. during the hammer throw, a competitor threw a hammer that completely “cleared the certification barrier” and hit the audience, officials said in a news release.
The victim was the father of one of the competing athletes at Vista Ridge High School. KRDO13.
A Colorado Springs police officer was killed trying to protect his wife and son from a 25-pound hammer.
Colorado Springs Fire Department rescue crews were called to respond, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, according to the release.
“We are heartbroken by this terrible accident and are focused on supporting everyone involved,” UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.
The hammer throw is one of four track and field events typically held during competition. In it, athletes wind up a swing by spinning a metal ball into position before throwing it, which is attached to a wire on a field.
No charges have been submitted. The identity of the victim has not been released.
Other sports accidents hit families in the most unexpected ways.
In June, a New Jersey child died in a freak badminton accident after his racket suddenly broke and impaled a young girl's skull.
Just like last week, another child drowned in North Carolina after going sledding and pushing through the ice of a frozen pond.
