28 Aug 2012

Javelin death at athletics meet

5:29 am on 28 August 2012

A 74-year-old athletics official has died after being speared through the throat by a javelin at a junior meet in Germany.

The official, named as Dieter Strack, went to measure a throw but was hit as the javelin landed. He was taken to hospital for an emergency operation but died overnight.

A group of seven spectators in the 800-strong crowd who witnessed the accident were given counselling at the scene as police evacuated the stadium.

After the accident, the meet in the western city of Duesseldorf was immediately cancelled.

The local Rheinische Post newspaper reported that the 15-year-old competitor who threw the javelin was also being treated for shock.