A 19-year-old New Zealand teenager has tragically died after participating in a high-impact tackling game believed to be inspired by a controversial social media trend.
Police confirmed that the young man, whose name has not been released, died on Monday night in the hospital after sustaining a critical head injury during a rough play session with friends in Palmerston North on Sunday.
“This young man’s death is an absolute tragedy, and my thoughts are with his family and friends,” said Inspector Ross Grantham. He added that the game was “based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear.”
The incident has been linked to the “Run It Straight” challenge, a viral trend popularised on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. The challenge typically involves participants, predominantly young men, charging into each other at full speed, often with no safety precautions in place. The videos have garnered tens of millions of views.
While the fatal game in Palmerston North was an impromptu activity among friends rather than a formally organised event, Inspector Grantham emphasised the dangers associated with such stunts. “This tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.”
The death comes on the heels of an official Run It Straight event held in Auckland last week, which drew more than 1,000 spectators. Eight men competed for a $20,000 prize, with the event promising a shot at a $250,000 grand prize in the upcoming finals. Two participants were forced to retire due to head injuries, and one reportedly suffered a seizure during the competition, according to RNZ.
The event’s organisers, RUNIT, have promoted the sport on their website as “the world’s fiercest new collision sport” that rewards “strength and grit.” In a statement provided to The Guardian, RUNIT called the teenager’s death a tragedy and clarified that their sanctioned events are conducted under strict medical and safety protocols.
“Any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support,” the statement read.
RUNIT added that their competitions include participant screenings, medically supervised pre- and post-assessments, and regulated tackling zones to minimise harm. The organisation also stated, “We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under strict conditions.”
Despite these precautions at official events, experts are alarmed by the sport’s growing popularity and the rise of unregulated backyard versions of the game.
Dr. Melanie Bussey, professor at the University of Otago’s School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, said run-it-style tackles are highly likely to result in brain trauma. “The introduction of a high-risk sport like this seems not only counterproductive but deeply concerning,” she said.
Patria Hume, Human Performance professor at AUT, echoed those sentiments. “This death was preventable,” she said. “We need people to stop participating in activities where the intention is to hurt someone.”
The tragedy has sparked renewed debate over the role of social media in promoting dangerous behaviour, as well as calls for greater regulation and awareness around youth safety in sports and online challenges.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out later this week.
