AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD ice hockey fan who had gone to watch a match in northern France with his father died Sunday after he was hit in the head by a puck that flew into the stands.
The freak tragedy occurred some three minutes before the end of the match in Dunkirk on Saturday evening, when a player hit the puck — a rubber disk — towards the end of the rink and a teammate then diverted it, sending it into the stands.
Hugo, who was with his father, was hit on the ear and suffered cardiac arrest. Rescue workers on site were able to revive him, but he died Sunday of his injuries in hospital.
A puck weighs around 170 grammes (six ounces) and can travel at more than 180 kilometres an hour (112 miles per hour) when hit during a hockey match.
“It’s hard. Everyone knows each other, everyone knows the kid,” said Dunkirk Mayor Patrice Vergriete.
On Sunday afternoon, some 400 people — including a lot of children — gathered in front of the ice skating rink to lay flowers.
A probe has been opened to determine why the accident happened, but the rink was built to the required standards, Vergriete said.
This type of accident is extremely rare, and has never happened before in France.
But in north America where the sport is extremely popular, there have been several such tragedies.
The latest occurred in 2002 when Brittanie Cecil, 13, was killed when a puck was deflected into the stands in Ohio.
Pro14 2021 season if CVC get their way –
The Leinster Heinos v Munster Murphys Irish Stout XV
Connacht (powered by Buckfast) v Harp Larger Ulster
I was going to make a joke about Cocktail named rugby franchises but it’s actually so harmless next to the gambling sponsorship of soccer team shirts
@Daniel J Brady: Go on, tell the vote anyway
Brilliant news that MLR continuing to grow. LA will be a massive draw for players who want to give playing in the US a go. Seriously exciting development!!
Well they will effectively replace glendale raptors in the league
This seems like a very cynical fan grab of the gay community. Hope I’m wrong.
@Armchair Follower: why in the world is it cynical? If the market in venice beach is largely gay then you obviously try and appeal to them. Beyond that the more inclusive and diverse they can make the sport the better it is for everyone