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Student Fatally Struck By Hammer At Wheaton College Track Meet

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A student volunteer working at a Wheaton College track and field meet was fatally injured Saturday afternoon during the hammer throw event.

About 4:15 p.m., Ethan Roser, a 19-year-old freshman transfer student from Cincinnati, Oho, was accidentally struck by a hammer during the event, according to a statement from Wheaton College.

Roser was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

 

"We are deeply grieved, but, because of our faith in Christ, not without hope," said Wheaton College President Philip Ryken. "We ask people to pray for Ethan's family, his friends, and our campus community."

Athletes from the competing schools joined Wheaton athletes on the field at McCully Stadium to pray after the volunteer was struck by a hammer, one spectator said.

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Students from seven schools gathered to pray after the fatal accident with Ethan Roser (Facebook: Gina M. Danaher)

The incident occurred during the Don Church Twilight Meet, in which the men's and women's teams compete.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2017. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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