An accident during an indoor track meet at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs resulted in the death of a spectator Sunday, according to university officials.
As reported by The Gazette of Colorado Springs, the incident took place at about 9:30 a.m. at the Mountain Lion Fieldhouse during a club sports track and field event for high school students across Colorado. An attending spectator, the father of one of the meet's participants, was struck during a hammer throw.
An accident during an indoor track meet at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs resulted in the death of a spectator Sunday, according to university officials.
As reported by The Gazette of Colorado Springs, the incident took place at about 9:30 a.m. at the Mountain Lion Fieldhouse during a club sports track and field event for high school students across Colorado. An attending spectator, the father of one of the meet's participants, was struck during a hammer throw.
As reported by Colorado Springs NBC affiliate KOAA, the man was identified as Wade Langston, 57, a parent of a student at Vista Ridge High School.
Langston's niece and the Colorado United Track Club, which organized the meet, have both started GoFundMe online fundraisers to assist the family.
A track-and-field hammer is a metal ball attached to a handle by a length of wire or chain and thrown for distance. According to World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, the hammer weighs 16 pounds in men's competition.
University officials said the thrown hammer "cleared certified barriers" before it struck Langston, who reportedly was attempting to shield his wife and son.
Rescue crews from the Colorado Springs Fire Department responded and provided medical care, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, a UCCSÂ release stated.
The rest of the meet, one of three in a series hosted by UCCS, was canceled, according to local radio station KRDO.
“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.
Fatal accidents at track and field competitions are rare, according to The Associated Press. 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.
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Vista Ridge High School released the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of a D49 parent during a club track meet this weekend at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Our sincere and deep condolences go out to our student and our student's family as they grieve this significant loss. The leadership team at Vista Ridge High School, in coordination with D49's Department of Community Care, is offering structured support for students and VRHS staff. Our school and our community will feel this tragic loss deeply, and we will walk through this difficult time together with care and respect.
