A 13-year-old girl has died after being struck in the head by a spear during an athletics training session at school.

The incident occurred on 3rd May in the village of Priblizhnaya, a rural locality in the Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.

According to investigators, a 17-year-old boy threw a training spear while the coach was absent from the sports field, and it hit the girl in the eye.

She was taken to hospital still alive and remained in intensive care for four days but succumbed to her injuries on 7th May.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case and is examining whether safety protocols were followed.

Photo shows a street in the village of Priblizhnaya in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, where the school is located and a girl died after being hit in the eye by a javellin. The picture is undated. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)

Officials are also assessing the actions of the coach who left the students unsupervised.

The regional prosecutor’s office has initiated its own review into the quality of services provided by the sports school.

In UK schools, due to health and safety regulations, many have shifted focus towards less risky disciplines like sprinting, long jump, or shot put using light weights.

In addition, the use of foam javelins is now widespread at Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11) and even in early Key Stage 3 to build technique before introducing metal versions.

(MJ Leidig/newsX)