A 19-year-old has died in New Zealand after being critically injured in a viral tackling game during which participants run full speed at each other head-on.
The teenager, named locally as Ryan Satterthwaite, suffered a serious head injury when tackled in Palmerston North on Sunday afternoon and was taken to hospital by his friends, police said.
However, Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed he died on Monday night.
“This young man’s death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends,” he said in a statement.
The game he and his friends had been playing was based on the “run it straight” game, which has grown in popularity online and sees people compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear.
Mr Grantham added: “While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.
“We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks.”
Police said they are not treating what happened as a criminal matter but will continue to investigate the incident on behalf of the coroner.
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The viral game is believed to be based on the RUNIT competition, described on its website as the “world’s fiercest, new collision sport” which is “born to go viral, built to break limits”.
It involves two people charging at each other on a field 20 metres long and four metres wide.
“Victory belongs to the one who dominates the collision,” the website says.
Social media is full of videos of people trying out the game. In one video, a man can be seen apparently visibly disorientated and shaking as people help him to his feet.
In a statement to New Zealand outlet Stuff Magazine after Mr Satterthwaite’s death, RUNIT Championship League said it did “not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions”.
“This is tragic news and our hearts go out to the family and friends of Ryan. Any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly-controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support.”
