Dec. 15 (UPI) — An 11-year previous boy died Friday after days in intensive look after being struck within the neck with a hockey puck throughout a minor hockey league observe close to Montreal, Quebec.
Saint-Eustache Police confirmed the boy died in intensive care Friday. The incident occurred Tuesday on the Walter-Buswell area in Saint-Eustache, a suburb of Montreal. The injured boy was transferred to an intensive care unit at a Montreal hospital
Police decided the boy was hit accidentally and was sporting all of the required protecting tools on the time.
Saint-Eustache Mayor Pierre Charron in a press release provided his condolences to the household and referred to as the incident an “unspeakable tragedy which afflicts our neighborhood.”
“We’re all in shock,” he stated. “Since Tuesday night, all our energies have centered on the household and family members of this younger man in addition to the whole sporting neighborhood. We reiterate our assist for the household and all these concerned.”
Jean-Phillippe Labréche, president of the Saint-Eustache Minor Hockey Affiliation additionally expressed his condolences to the boy’s household and “strongly” inspired these effected by the occasion to hunt psychological help.
Aside from match matches, the affiliation canceled all video games and practices till Monday, Labrèche stated.
The town stated it has mobilized its sources to assist the minor hockey affiliation and people near the younger participant. Amongst different issues, psychosocial assist has been provided to these affected by the incident.
Dr. Christopher Labos, a Montreal epidemiologist and heart specialist stated a majority of these accidents aren’t widespread, however may be life threatening. He added present neck protectors are designed to guard in opposition to slashes to the neck however do not provide any safety in opposition to blunt trauma.
The newest incident in Saint-Eustache has raised considerations in regards to the ineffectiveness of present neck protectors. Michael Raposo, a participant for the Montreal Elite Nationals, instructed CityNews neck guards have not modified in years whereas knee and elbow pads get larger and extra protecting.
Trent McCleary, a former Montreal Canadiens participant who had his profession reduce quick in 2000 by a puck strike to the throat, instructed Victoria Information he was not sporting a neck protector on the time of the incident, however he believed it would not have mattered as a result of a neck guard would not have protected him from such a high-velocity strike.
“I do not consider that there is any neck safety that may shield from the influence,” he stated.