Tragedy struck at the University of Colorado when a man died in the stands after a hammer thrower had a poor execution, sending the object towards the spectator, The Post reported.
School officials, located in Colorado Springs, announced that the sporting event was held at Mountain Lion Fieldhouse for high school students from across Colorado.
At around 9:30 a.m. local time, during the hammer throw test, a competitor threw his hammer, but it “totally exceeded the certified barriers” and hit a member of the audience.
The man died protecting his family from the object
The victim was the father of one of the competing athletes from Vista Ridge High School, according to a statement obtained by KRDO13.
The man died protecting his wife and son from the 25-pound hammer, Colorado Springs police said.
Rescue teams from the Colorado Springs Fire Department were called to respond, but the father was eventually pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement.
“We are heartbroken by this horrific accident and are focused on supporting everyone involved,” said UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet in a statement.
The hammer throw is one of the four athletics events that are normally held during a competition.
The event consists of an athlete winding up their swing by spinning on the spot, before throwing a metal ball attached to a wire across the field.
No charges have been filed, and the victim’s identity has not been released.
Other sports accidents have affected families in the most unexpected ways.
In June, a girl in New Jersey died during a freak badminton accident after the racket suddenly broke and pierced the young girl’s skull.
Even last week, another child drowned in North Carolina when he was sledding and plunged into the ice of a frozen pond.