CHENNAI: A 14-year-old boy died a day after he was struck by a stray javelin while playing football on a school ground in Uthamapalayam, Theni, on Friday.

The deceased, Saiprasath, was a class 9 student residing in the hostel of the Rayappanpatti Government Aided Higher Secondary School. Originally from Kombai near Uthamapalayam, Saiprasath’s family currently resides in Kerala, where his father Chandran works in a local estate.

On Friday evening, Saiprasath and friends were playing football on the school ground, when 19-year-old Dabeesh, a Koodalur native and second-year student at a Chennai sports college, was practising javelin throw nearby. One of the javelins thrown by Dabeesh struck Saiprasath on the head, leaving him severely injured.

Saiprasath collapsed immediately and teachers and students rushed to his aid and took him to the Uthamapalayam Government Hospital, where he received initial treatment. He was later referred to the Theni Government Medical College Hospital for intensive care; despite medical efforts, he was declared brain-dead on Sunday.

The Rayappanpatti police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.