Athletics official killed by javelin in Dusseldorf
An athletics official has been killed in a horrifying javelin accident at a junior meeting in Dusseldorf, Eurosport reported.
The 75-year-old was hit in the throat by a javelin thrown by a competitor, instantly severing his carotid artery.
He was rushed to hospital, but died from his injuries.
Emergency services reported that the judge had started moving out to measure the javelin before it had landed, but that either a sudden gust of wind or a tragic misjudgement caused it to strike him.
The man, identified only as Dieter S under Germany's media privacy rules, was reportedly a highly experienced international javelin judge, whose 18-year-old granddaughter Fiona is due to compete in the event at the German athletics championships in three weeks' time.
Psychological counselling was immediately given to seven people among the 300 athletes and 800 spectators present at the meeting, including to the 17-year-old who had thrown the fatal javelin.