An errant weight thrown by a competitor in a hammer throw event struck and killed a spectator at a youth track and field meet in Colorado, according to officials at the university where the competition was held.
The weight cleared certified barriers before striking the man Sunday morning at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, according to a university statement.
Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene. The so-called hammer in the hammer throw event is actually a heavy ball on a chain. He was the father of a competitor for the Colorado United Track Club that hosted the event for high school-age athletes from around the state, according to the station. The weight used in the hammer throw event is 16 pounds for men and 9 pounds for women in adult competition, according to World Athletics , the international track and field governing body.
Fatal accidents at track and field competitions are rare. A hammer killed a student at a college track and field meet at Wheaton College in Illinois in A shot put ball struck and killed an officiant during practice at the U. Skip to content. Watch on Demand. Press enter to search Type to Search. Spectator killed by stray hammer thrown at Colorado youth track event Share. Copy Link. Spectator killed by stray hammer thrown at Colorado youth track event.
It's similar to the more popular hammer toss but without the long chain attached to the weight. It was just horrible for everybody. Matt Crich was at the meet to support some of his throwers. Sadly, he says the thrower. The balance and accidentally launched the way up and over the netting. It hit and killed year-old Wade Langston, who was there to support his son.
