A teenager has died after being critically injured while participating in a game inspired by the controversial “Run It” trend in Palmerston North, located on New Zealand’s North Island.
The 19-year-old, identified by RNZ as Ryan Satterthwaite, sustained a severe head injury during a tackle and was transported to hospital by friends, according to Inspector Ross Grantham, Police Manawatū area commander.
“Tragically, he died in hospital on Monday night,” Inspector Grantham confirmed.
“This is an incredibly sad loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
The game, which mimicked a social media trend, involves participants engaging in high-impact, full-contact collisions without any protective equipment.
Grantham said the incident occurred during a spontaneous game rather than a pre-organised match, but underscored the safety concerns surrounding such activities.
“We strongly urge anyone thinking about engaging in this type of game to be aware of the significant risks of injury,” he said.
Although the incident is not being treated as a criminal matter, police are continuing inquiries on behalf of the coroner.
This fatality follows an incident last week at Auckland’s Trust Arena, where two men were knocked unconscious while competing in a “Run It Straight” event. One participant reportedly suffered a seizure.
That competition involved eight men participating in dangerous physical collisions for a prize of $NZ20,000 ($18,500 AUD), prompting widespread criticism and warnings from medical experts.
Stacey Mowbray, chief executive of the brain injury charity Headway, told RNZ the sport clearly poses serious risks of brain trauma. She also raised concerns about the events exploiting financially vulnerable individuals with the lure of large cash prizes.
As reported by the NZ Herald, New Zealand Rugby has distanced itself from the trend, stating it “poses a high risk of serious injury.”
This article was originally published by Radio New Zealand.
