An errant hammer thrown by a competitor struck and killed a spectator at a youth track and field meet at the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs campus.
The hammer cleared barriers before striking the man, who was the father of one of the competitors, on Sunday morning, the university said in a statement.
“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” campus chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said.
Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene. He is understood to have tried to shield his wife and son from the ball, KRDO-TV reported. 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.
The weight used in the hammer throw event weighs 16lbs (7kg) for men and 9lbs (4kg) 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 US track and field championships in Los Angeles in 2005.
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