Runner Dies After Freak Hammer Accident
Submitted By: Anonymous
Article Date: 05/10/2000
URL: http://www.goofball.com/news/20000510_runner
A teenage Czech athlete has died after being hit by a hammer in a freak accident at a local meeting.
Zuzana Krejcova was struck in the head and neck by the hammer which broke while being thrown by Czech number one Vladimir Maska in Turnov, Mirko Graef, an official at the Slovan Liberec athletic club.
The 18-year-old middle distance runner was hit as she sat about 10 meters outside the throwing zone.
The athlete, who finished fifth in the Czech junior indoor 800 meters championship earlier this year, died of her injuries in hospital, Graef said.
Graef said standard precautions were taken for throwing the seven kilogram (14.4 pound) hammer.