A CASTLE visitor was killed yesterday in a freak hammer-throwing accident at a Highland Games event.
A 22 pound metal ball from the traditional sporty event “flew over a hedge” and a man walking on the other side killed him instantly.
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Witnesses said the 65-year-old victim was not a spectator at the Open Highland Games at Geldrop Castle, in The Netherlandson Sunday.
Instead, he was walking in the castle gardens when the invisible hammer flew over and knocked him down.
A witness told the local news channel Broadcasting Brabant: “The pendulum dropped, we saw the ball go over the hedge and then we heard a woman screaming very loudly.
“It wasn’t a spectator…so he didn’t see the ball coming at all.”
Emergency services, including a trauma helicopter, rushed to the scene, but unfortunately the victim could not be rescued.
The throwing event is a traditional part of the old scottish gamesin which competitors swing a “hammer” around their heads and throw it as far as possible.
The hammer itself is a wooden pole with a metal ball attached to it that typically weighs 22 pounds for men or 16 pounds for women.
Spectators had watched the horror unfold and the event was quickly halted after the incident.
The witness added: “When things went wrong, some people from the organization immediately ran to the victim. They began CPR.”
Another visitor who witnessed the accident also told Omroep Brabant: “We were not allowed to stand where the ball landed (in the event field).
“But people could walk behind the hedge. It was open at the bottom, so we saw their feet and prams, where they walked. We were amazed by that beforehand.”
The witness added: “The boy swinging the ball was very upset
“He was not a rookie, but a really top player, who had already participated in major competitions.”
Adri Geerts, chairman of organizers Foundation Village Marketing Geldrop-Mierlo, told Local media“We are stunned that something like this could happen.
“You don’t expect it, it’s the biggest disaster that can happen to all of us. We are devastated.
“I felt super excited about the event and all the people who were there.
“That someone dies in an accident, that makes me super sad.”
Geerts said the participants of the event were completely distraught, but received help from victim support.
About the athlete who threw the hammer, Geerts added: “I have not spoken to him myself, but he is completely beside himself, this should never have happened to him.
“They are players who practice this game internationally at a high level and with a lot of experience and are extremely experienced, but then apparently an accident can happen.”
Deputy Mayor Hans van de Laar said: “We are all very affected by this terrible accident. Our condolences go out to the relatives.”
Police have not yet identified the victim and are investigating the incident further.