Courtesy of Kyoto Shimbun

High school boy in hospital after being hit in head by shot put

Thursday 17th September, 09:36 AM JST

OKAYAMA —

A 17-year-old boy was flown to hospital by helicopter on Wednesday morning after he was hit in the head with a four-kilogram shot put in Kasaoka City.

The boy, a second-year student at Kasaoka Technical High School, was taking measurements for shot put during a PE class in the school courtyard, when he was struck on the forehead. The boy who made the put called out to him to try to warn him, but the boy standing about 8 meters away turned to him and was hit on the forehead. He was rushed to hospital by helicopter, where he is conscious and in a stable condition, police said.

A staff member said 39 students were practicing shot put, long jump and relays for an upcoming sports carnival. Two teachers were supervising the class but both of them were managing and timing the relays at the time of the incident. Police said they are looking into a charge of professional negligence resulting in injury.

News reports

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ebisen at 10:30 AM JST - 17th September

I saw this happening myself (I hit someone with a ball similar with a baseball - my throw was 10 meters over the average of others - about 45 meters in total). Ouch - the guy immediately felt to the ground and vomited... Indeed, not a pretty sight.
kokorocloud at 10:43 AM JST - 17th September

Oh my goodness! I hope that boy is okay.
smithinjapan at 11:05 AM JST - 17th September

What was the kid doing? Measuring where he PREDICTED the shot was going to land? Guess he was bang on.

Seriously, though, my callous comment is intended to point to the stupidity of the incident. The person making the shot, the kid 'receiving' it, and most importantly whomever the teacher in charge was were all responsible for being utterly irresponsible, and downright negligent. I hope the kid pulls through without any damage to his noggin', and I hope this kind of thing is not repeated once the staff become complacent again.
Wakarimasen at 11:31 AM JST - 17th September

8 meteres is a pretty good put for high school kids. The thrower has an Olympic future!
Wakarimasen at 11:32 AM JST - 17th September

And the shot in the photo looks guilty as hell.
n3312 at 11:36 AM JST - 17th September

An avoidable accident, unless of course the ball flew off-course. But based on the article it's a lack of common sense.
cactusJack at 12:15 PM JST - 17th September

This is not national news. This is just a sensationalist story to trying to convey shock value. Don't read it.
sydenham at 12:17 PM JST - 17th September

i just hope the kid is ok.
smartacus at 12:36 PM JST - 17th September

If you say so, cactusJack. I won't read it.
kirakira25 at 01:28 PM JST - 17th September

Ouch! That has got to have hurt!

I agree with what many are saying- negligence resulting in injury. But on the part of the kids as much as the teacher. These were not 7 year olds but 17 year olds. Common sense - if you are in the firing line of a 4kg ball - watch for it. If you are throwing a 4kg ball - watch for people in front of you.

Wakarimasen - you are right. There is a menacing expression on that balls face!
betterdays at 02:52 PM JST - 17th September

the boy standing about 8 meters away turned to him and was hit on the forehead

from a rough calculation of the projectile motion, the range of the ball was gonna be more than 10m..(unless the victim is very short)The thrower should be well groomed coz he really can throw balls. got a bright future in shot putt
Yelnats at 02:57 PM JST - 17th September

Stupid accident and the teachers should be fired.
animallover at 02:27 AM JST - 18th September

The same thing happened to one of my classmates. The poor boy became half paralysed. Wish you will be fine young boy!!
Fadamor at 05:00 AM JST - 18th September

There was a serious breakdown in the safety procedures. People downrange need to be watching the launchee before the shot is delivered. That should be rule number one for shotput, javelin, and discus.
javnation at 11:23 AM JST - 18th September

Classes in Japanese schools are typically of 40 or so student. When was the last time anyone here tried to manage 40 student? Sure the teachers are responsible for what happens when they are on duty, but there has to be some consideration for the stupidly huge class sizes they are forced to teach.

Re class size. I am referring to my knowledge of class sizes at two schools, one in Akatsutsumi and the other in Machida.