A 19-year-old college freshman was killed Saturday afternoon when he was struck during a hammer throwing event at a Wheaton College track and field meet.
Ethan Roser, a transfer student from Cincinnati, Ohio, was identified as the victim, according to a statement from Wheaton College.
Roser was volunteering at the meet on the college's campus in suburban Chicago when he was struck around 4:15 p.m.
The Wheaton community is deepy grieved by the tragic death of freshman Ethan Roser. https://t.co/NlxgH75tpL
— Wheaton College (@WheatonCollege) April 23, 2017
Roser received treatment on the scene and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died, according to the statement.
"We are deeply grieved, but, because of our faith in Christ, not without hope," said Wheaton College President Philip Ryken. "We ask people to pray for Ethan's family, his friends, and our campus community.”
Marcus Malcolm, who was at the meet, told the Chicago Sun-Times about the tragic accident.
Hammer throwing is a track and field event in which athletes throw a metal ball that's attached to a grip by a steel wire. Athletes throw for distance and typically spin around three or four times before releasing the ball. The metal ball can weigh anywhere from 8 to 16 pounds, according to the International Association of Athletics Federation.
The school held an on-campus memorial for Roser Saturday night.
