By james art 
Colorado Springs, Colo. (KKTV/GREY NEWS) – A spectator at a Colorado high school track and field event was killed when an athlete’s putt went out of bounds Sunday morning.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, which hosted the meeting, said it was heartbroken by what it called a “horrific incident.”
“We are heartbroken by this terrible incident and are focused on supporting everyone involved,” UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Soban said in a statement to KKTV.
According to UCCS, the student’s hammer was thrown past the certified barriers, striking a spectator sitting in the stands. The victim died at the scene.
“A member of the audience present was killed when a hammer thrown by a contestant cleared certified barriers and struck him. The Colorado Springs Fire Department responded, provided medical assistance and eventually pronounced the member of the public dead at the scene,” UCCS said.
The remainder of the meet was immediately canceled and all athletes were asked to go home.
While the university itself has not identified the victim, a statement from the Colorado United Track Club said he was the father of an athlete who attended Vista Ridge High School.
Additional information was not yet available.
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