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Teenager hit by discus at school dies in hospital

Ashley Broadley
Friday 06 June 2003 19:00 EDT
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A teenager who was hit on the head by a discus at school died yesterday of his injuries.

Steven Commey was hit in the back of the head during a PE lesson at Barlow Roman Catholic High School in Manchester shortly after 3pm on Wednesday. The 14-year-old, from Northern Moor, Manchester, was knocked unconscious and suffered a cardiac arrest before paramedics could reach him.

An ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics attempted to resuscitate Steven. She said he was then taken to Wythenshawe Hospital in the city, before being transferred to an intensive care unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury, where he died overnight.

His headteacher, James Taylor, spoke yesterday of his shock at the accident. He said Steven was a popular boy and an excellent athlete. "This is a huge shock to the school community," he said.

Mr Taylor saidSteven had been struck by a discus during an after-school sports session. He added that the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident were subject to a Health and Safety Executive inquiry. "It is not, therefore, appropriate for me to speculate further," he said.

Mick Waters, Manchester City Council's chief education officer, said: "I am extremely shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy and want to extend my very deepest sympathies to Steven's family."

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