In a grave incident which occurred during the Kerala State Junior Athletics Championship being held at Pala, a 17-year-old school student was critically injured after a hammer hit his head during the hammer throw sports event.

Abheel Johnson, plus one student of St Thomas Higher Secondary School in Pala, suffered a serious head injury after a 3 kg hammer hit his head on Friday. According to Asianet News report, the student was a volunteer of the athletic meet. Abheel has been admitted to intensive care unit of Kottayam Medical College and underwent a surgery on Friday, but according to hospital officials, his condition remains critical.

As per the report, the incident happened at around 1 pm on Friday. Two sports events, Javelin throw and Hammer throw, were going on at the same time. Abheel, who was a volunteer, was picking up the javelins which contestants used for the event. A hammer, which a contestant threw from the opposite direction hit his head which injured him severely. He was rushed to Kottayam Medical College hospital at once.

Pala police have charged a case against the organisers of the event. “Section 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of Indian Penal Code has been charged against the organisers. We are probing and if needed, will charge case against specific persons,” an official of Pala police told TNM.

As per the Asianet report, both the events – Javelin throw and Hammer throw – which were held simultaneously, had the same finishing point.

Already, there were allegations that the championship was being held without adequate number of sports faculties and that teachers of other subjects were officiating as judges for the events.

The events scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday have been postponed due to the accident.