Athletics Official Killed by Javelin in Germany

A sports official in Germany has died after being struck in the throat by a javelin, police said Monday.

The 74-year-old man was adjudicating at a youth athletics event in the western city of Duesseldorf when the incident happened late Sunday, said police spokesman Andre Hartwig.

He was immediately taken to hospital but died of injuries early Monday, Hartwig said.

The local athletics association for Duesseldorf and Neuss identified the man as Dieter Strack.

"The popular and experienced sports judge was the victim of a tragic accident while carrying out his duties on August 26," the association said on its website. "All of us who were there are horrified and in shock."

Hartwig said that the 15-year-old athlete who threw the javelin was receiving psychological counseling.

Police have opened an investigation into the official's death but initial indications were that it had been an accident, he added.

The competition in the Rath district of Duesseldorf was called off after the incident.