A 19-year-old man from Palmerston North, New Zealand, has died following a severe head injury sustained during a risky social media-inspired game. Ryan Satterthwaite took part in a full-contact tackle game based on the viral “Run It Straight” trend. The incident happened on Sunday afternoon, and despite friends rushing him to the hospital, he passed away on Monday night.
Police confirmed the game was an informal activity among friends, not an organized event. While no criminal charges are expected, authorities continue investigating on behalf of the Coroner. The game involves two players running at each other at full speed on a narrow field without any protective equipment. Organizers promote it as “the world’s fiercest new combat sport,” where the winner is the one who dominates the collision.
Health experts strongly criticize the game, calling it dangerously reckless. Neuroscientist Dr. Helen Murray said the event poses a high risk of head injuries, with no measures to prevent brain damage. Sports science expert Professor Patria Hume described the game as a backward step that ignores established research on concussion risks. Australian neurologist Dr. Alan Pearce called the sport “insanity” for replacing skill with sheer force.
Events mimicking this style have recently drawn crowds in Auckland and Melbourne. Injuries are common; at one Auckland competition, three out of eight participants were hurt, including two with concussion symptoms. Videos of brutal collisions have gone viral, increasing the game’s online popularity. This tragic death has renewed urgent calls from health professionals and the public to ban the dangerous sport.
