(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A spokesperson for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) reported that an accident during a track and field meet turned fatal Sunday morning, Jan. 26.

According to UCCS, a club sports track and field meet for high school students from across Colorado was taking place at the Mountian Lion Fieldhouse on the UCCS campus when around 9:30 a.m., a hammer thrown by a participant cleared certified barriers and hit a member of the audience.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) responded and provided medical care, but the audience member was pronounced dead at the scene. The UCCS Police Department and the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) also responded.

“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” said UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet. 

UCCS stated that the track meet was one of a three-meet series held on the UCCS campus, the first of which took place on Dec. 15, 2024.

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the audience member once it concludes its investigation.