Family and friends are mourning the tragic death of a man who was hit by a stray hammer throw at his son’s high school athletic event in Colorado. Wade Langston, 57, was identified as the victim of the incident that happened on Saturday, January 26, according to a report by ABC affiliate KRDO-TV.
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Langston was attending a track and field meet at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs when a hammer, thrown by another teen during a weight event, soared past the protective netting meant to shield spectators and struck him in the head.
According to Colorado Springs Police, Langston was tragically struck while shielding his wife and son from the oncoming object.
First responders made every effort to assist Langston, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time at the university’s Mountain Lion Fieldhouse, the university confirmed.
The Identity of the Athlete Who Threw the Hammer Will Not Be Revealed, Per Authorities
The hammer throw, a classic field event, doesn’t actually involve hurling a traditional hammer. According to the World Athletics Organization, the “hammer” in this sport is a metal ball connected to a grip by a steel wire. In adult competitions, the hammer used weighs 16 pounds for men and 9 pounds for women, per ESPN.
The identity of the athlete who threw the hammer—a heavy ball attached to a chain—has not yet been disclosed by authorities.
“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office stated on Tuesday, January 28, that no details will be released until the autopsy and investigation are fully completed, a process that could take up to two months. Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs Police Department confirmed that they are not treating this case as a criminal investigation, per PEOPLE.
Langston is survived by his wife and their son, a high school senior preparing to start college this fall. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support the family during this difficult time and help the teen as he embarks on his college journey.
“Wade was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished brother and brother-in-law, fun uncle, and an even more fun great-uncle,” the campaign reads.
As of this writing, the campaign has raised $23,000 of a $26,000 goal.