Spectator Dies After Hammer Weight Strikes Crowd at Colorado High School Track Meet

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (AP) – A tragic accident occurred at a high school track and field event in Colorado on Sunday morning when a hammer weight, thrown by a competitor, cleared the safety barriers an

The incident took place at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) during a meet held at the Mountain Lion Fieldhouse, part of a series of events for high school students from across the state. The hammer, which consists of a heavy weight attached to a grip swung in a circular motion and thrown, went off course and into the crowd around 9:30 a.m. instead of landing within the designated field area.

"During a club sports track and field meet for high school students, taking place at the Mountain Lion Fieldhouse on the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs campus, a member of the attending audience was tragically killed when a hammer thrown by a participant cleared certified barriers and struck him," a university statement read

Langston, who was watching the event as the father of one of the athletes on the Colorado United Track Club team, was given medical care at the scene by emergency responders from the Colorado Springs Fire Department and local police. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Erik Huffman, head coach of the Colorado United Track Club, has launched an online fundraiser to support Langston’s family during this difficult time. "The Colorado United Track Club, our coaches and helpers would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Langston Family," Huffman wrote in the campaign description.

A separate fundraising campaign, organized by Langston’s niece-in-law, Tamara Rocha, aims to raise funds for Langston’s son, a high school senior, to assist with his college tuition. “Wade was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished brother and brother-in-law, fun uncle, and an even more fun great-uncle,” Rocha shared.

UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet expressed sorrow over the accident, stating, "We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved."

The track and field meet was part of a three-event series that began on December 15, with each meet held on the UCCS campus.