Ryan Satterthwaite of Palmerston North. Photo: Instagram
A teen has died after he was critically injured playing a game based on the controversial "Run It" craze with friends in Palmerston North.
He was Ryan Satterthwaite, 19 - who worked at Mainfreight Transport in Palmerston North - RNZ understands.
He suffered a serious head injury when tackled, and was taken to hospital by his friends, Police Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said.
"Tragically, he passed away in hospital on Monday night," he said.
"This young man's death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends.
"The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear."
Grantham said it was an impromptu game, rather than a planned event, but it did highlight concerns with safety.
"We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks.
"While this is not a criminal matter, police will continue to undertake enquiries on behalf of the coroner."
Satterthwaite's friends have been paying tribute to him on social media.
Ryan Satterthwaite worked at Mainfreight Transport in Palmerston North, RNZ understands. Photo: Instagram
"Fly in the high heavens, my beautiful brother. Love you forever and always, my boy," said one.
"Love you so much, lil bro," said another.
"Rest in paradise, my boy. Love you so much," a friend wrote on Instagram, which was echoed by a further tribute from another friend, who said: "You gave it everything."
A Mainfreight spokeswoman there said the workplace was supporting Satterthwaite's family, but she could not comment further on an employee.
Satterthwaite attended Palmerston North Boys' High School, leaving in 2022.
School rector David Bovey said he and other senior masters at the school had decided to give the students a talking to about the dangers of Runit challenges before they had heard about Satterthwaite.
"We'd planned to talk to the boys at assembly yesterday morning about it because we'd heard there'd been a couple of games out on the field - I don't know if you can call it a game.
"We'd already decided we were going to give them the message."
Bovey spoke to the senior students and a senior master to the juniors. "And then this news came through."
Bovey said Satterthwaite had a plan with his life - he wanted to leave school, work as many hours as possible and buy a house - and it had been going well.
"Our thoughts are certainly with Ryan's family and friends at the moment. It's a terribly sad time."
Satterthwaite was a "good fellow", and at school played basketball and touch.
"It's terribly sad news and I guess until something like this happens, sometimes the warnings you give to young men don't sink in."
Bovey said he would tonight reflect on what further to say about Satterthwaite's death.
The school would tomorrow still have assemblies split between juniors and seniors, so he might wait until later in the week when all the students were together again.
"I think it's really important that we talk about what's happened and how young men can avoid the same thing happening to them."
The death comes after two men were knocked unconscious and required medical attention during a Run It Straight competition at Auckland's Trust Arena last week.
One of the two appeared to have a seizure.
The competition saw eight men put their bodies and brains on the line for $20,000 prize money.
Following backlash, the arena advised the event promoter last week that no further events would be allowed.
"Following the initial Runit trials at The Trusts Arena, it was clear from commentary that there was overwhelming concern for the high-risk nature of the event. Safety of all participants at our venue is paramount and this activity presented safety considerations that we could not overlook. We therefore made the decision not to allow any further Runit events at our venue," a spokesperson said.
After last week's competition, the sport came under fire with neuroscientists issuing grave warnings about the brutal sport's risk.
Headway charity chief executive Stacey Mowbray told RNZ it was undoubtedly causing brain injury.
She said the format and promotion of the events appeared to exploit financially vulnerable people by offering large cash prizes.
As reported by the NZ Herald, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had also distanced itself from the sport, believing the sport "carried significant risk of serious injury".
A statement from the Australian-based Runit Championship League, which was behind the Auckland events, said Satterthwaite's death was tragic.
The organisation's thoughts were with his family and friends.
"All combat sports 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 said.
Runit events followed established protocols, including screening participants for their suitability, and had strict guidelines on where and how to tackle - between the shoulders and hips.
They had qualified medical support staff present and medical assessments happened during and after competition.
"We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions outlined... in sanctioned Runit events."
