The father of an athlete was hit by a weight throw at a high school event in the United States

Wade Langston, the father of an athlete competing at a track and field meeting at the University of Colorado Springs, died after being hit by a stray weight throw.

A spokesperson for the university said a spectator "was killed when a hammer thrown by a participant cleared certified barriers and struck him".

The 57-year-old tried to shield his wife and son from the metal ball when it hit him.

"We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved," said University of Colorado Colorado Springs chancellor Jennifer Sobanet.

Such accidents are extremely rare but the tragic death of Langston mirrors an incident at the AAA Under-20 Championships in Bedford 25 years ago when a British athletics official called Norman Stang, who was also aged 57, died after being hit by a hammer.

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