Spectator killed by hammer throw at high school track and field event in Colorado
The hammer weight flew out of bounds and struck a spectator in the stands, who later died at the scene
A spectator was killed after a hammer weight was thrown out of bounds at a high school track and field event on Sunday.
The event, a club track and field meet held at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, was halted after a hammer thrown by a participant went past the barriers and struck a man in the stands. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and has been identified as 57-year-old Wade Langston, per the El Paso County coroner's office. Langston was reportedly in attendance to watch his son compete in the event.
“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” said UCCS chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in the statement.
The meet was canceled after the accident, and participants were told to go home.
On Monday, the family of Langston released a statement:
Wade was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished brother and brother-in-law, fun uncle, and an even more fun great-uncle. He was a truly wonderful person who brought laughter to every room he entered with his great sense of humor. There are no words to express the depth of our sorrow, but we are clinging tightly to the memories, laughter and love that we shared with Wade. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support but ask for privacy as we process this profound grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with all others impacted by this tragedy.
The hammer throw event uses a heavy hammer weight attached to a grip by a steel wire. Compared to discus, shotput and javelin, the hammer throw is a less common field event in the U.S. Some states, such as Ohio, have banned the sport from high schools altogether.
The meet was part of a three-meet series held on UCCS's campus, per the school.
