Fatal Incident at UCCS: Spectator dies after being hit by mistakenly thrown weight during hammer throw event

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A spectator at a youth track and field meet in Colorado was tragically struck and killed by a misplaced weight thrown by a competitor, as confirmed by officials at the university hosting the event.

During the hammer throw competition at the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs campus, the hammer unintentionally went beyond the designated safety barriers and hit the man on a Sunday morning, according to a statement released by the university.

Tragically, the man lost his life at the scene, despite firefighters’ efforts. Reports from KRDO-TV indicated that the man was trying to protect his wife and son from the incoming ball. It is important to note that in the hammer throw event, the “hammer” is essentially a heavy ball attached to a chain.

Authorities did not identify the athlete or the man killed. 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.

“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” campus Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.

The weight used in the hammer throw event weighs 16 pounds (7 kilograms) for men and 9 pounds (4 kilograms) 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 2017.

A shot put ball struck and killed an officiant during practice at the U.S. track and field championships in Los Angeles in 2005.