Javelin accident kills German athletics official

[Mr Lick]

An official at an athletics event in the German city of Dusseldorf has died after being speared in the throat with a javelin.

The 74-year-old man was rushed to hospital after the accident on Sunday but died of his injuries.

The official, named locally as Dieter Strack, had gone to measure a throw but was hit by a javelin before it hit the ground, according to local media.

The competition was called off after the incident.

The 15-year-old competitor who threw the javelin is receiving psychological counselling, police spokesman Andre Hartwig told the Associated Press.

A statement on the website of the local athletics association identified the man as Mr Strack and said he was a "much-loved and experienced" sports judge.

"All of us who were there are horrified and in shock... We will always remember Dieter Strack," the statement said.

Occasional accidents occur in athletics disciplines such as the javelin and the hammer, but deaths are extremely rare.

In 2007, French long jumper Salim Sdiri was speared by a javelin at an athletics meeting in Rome and had to be taken to hospital for his injuries

[larvidchr]

Talked about how Javelin accidents, rarely, but sometimes do happen, with the GF during the Olympics.

That it is fatal is terrible sad , R.I.P - Dieter Strack

[Bung]

Good shot for a 15 year old!

[Panty Hamster]

He was a "much-loved and experienced" sports judge.

Why allow a 74-year-old anywhere near a javelin field?
It's irresponsible. It's inexcusable.

[Flight19]

Tonight we dine in hell!

[BaitongBoy]

In 2007, French long jumper Salim Sdiri was speared by a javelin at an athletics meeting in Rome and had to be taken to hospital for his injuries

Just have to wonder...Was it a very long throw, or a very long jump?...How do unrelated events "intersect" so drastically?...

[Mr Lick]

^ I don't think he was a member of his local darts team

[Hampsha]

Could have been a suicide. He tried for years and finally got his wish.

[slackula]

World javelin catching competitor gets posthumous gold!

The 15-year-old competitor who threw the javelin is receiving psychological counselling, police spokesman Andre Hartwig told the Associated Press.

I hope that means he's getting counselling now to deal with the trauma of this guy's death, not that he was previously in counselling to deal with his javelin-rage..

[Eliminator]

5 of the above comments are just plain stupid and are not in the least bit funny. They should be removed.

[Daft Old Cat]

He shouldn't had said he wanted to go in goal.

[Hampsha]

Gosh, he should have been more careful. Sounds like lots of new regulations are needed and an investigtion into whether old people really are doing things like this as well as driving cars, etc. Was this guy some sort of expert or were there no younger healthier and more 'aware' individuals out there who were available. Most people his age CAN'T be trusted doing work like this. I hope there is a full investagtion into this failure. God rest his soul.

[TizMe]

Q: What's black and white and red all over, and can't turn around in a doorway?
A: A nun with a javelin through her head.

[socal]

He was a "much-loved and experienced" sports judge.

Why allow a 74-year-old anywhere near a javelin field?
It's irresponsible. It's inexcusable.

He was probably a Nazi so good riddance. 74 year old bastard