‘Simply not worth the risk' alert over ‘dangerous' rugby-style tackle challenge as teen dies trying latest viral trend

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

VIRAL challenges are popular on social media – but it's not always a simple or funny one that grips the internet.
Some of the most popular include the ALS ice bucket challenge, Harlem Shake and Planking.
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And the trend has even been endorsed by some top rugby players
Credit: Getty
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Ryan Satterthwaite from New Zealand died after taking part in the game
Credit: Instagram
These trends and others like them range from the harmless to downright dangerous. Some have even resulted in death.
This week, a 19-year-old lad died in
It has been gaining traction across New Zealand and
The trend has even been endorsed by some top rugby players.
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Here, Emma Kilcawley Hemani takes a look at what the dangers are.
WHAT IS THE RUN-IT-STRAIGHT CHALLENGE
THIS latest craze sees participants sprinting into each other without protective head gear.
It is based loosely on the contact elements of rugby union, rugby league or the NFL and involves two competitors — a runner and tackler — speeding at each other and colliding.
Players are not allowed to trick or dodge.
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The game has grown in popularity through the Australian RUNIT Championship League, which offers cash prizes.
Organisers promote the event as 'the world's fiercest new collision sport'.
The organised events gained traction after ex-professional rugby players took part, including former Leicester, Montpellier and Fiji winger Nemani Nadolo, inset.
Bussin With The Boys, a popular podcast co-hosted by former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, even described it as the 'the next great sport'.
Two trial events in Auckland saw eight men compete for $12,000 in front of more than 1,000 spectators.
Winners were expected to go into a championship event next month with prize money of up to $150,000.
Two other events in Auckland were cancelled when organisers were unable to obtain permits.
TEEN TRAGEDY
A 19-year-old from New Zealand died after taking part in the game.
Police said Ryan Satterthwaite suffered a serious head injury when tackled while playing with friends.
Manawatu police area commander, Inspector Ross Grantham, said: 'The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a
WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?
Head trauma and brain injuries are just two of the risks associated with the challenge.
Last week, one of these planned events was paused in Auckland after a participant started convulsing.
Colin Morris, director of communications at Brain injury charity Headway, said: 'Trends like this are dangerous because they encourage copycat behaviour, often among young people who may not fully understand the serious risks involved.
'Participants will often have no medical supervision or support on hand if something goes wrong. One blow to the head can result in death or lead to permanent damage, affecting memory, mood, mobility, and even personality.
'It's simply not worth the risk.
'We urge individuals not to take part in or promote this reckless trend. No viral moment is worth risking your health, your future or your life. Viral trends come and go, but the effects of brain injury can be life long and permanent.'
OTHER DANGEROUS TRENDS
Run-It-Straight is by no means the first social media-fuelled trend to draw safety warnings after a tragedy.
Medical experts have been forced to warn the public about the risks of everything from inhaling solvents to abusing over-the-counter medications and even snorting condoms.
Another new 'game' is 'chroming'. The dangerous practice is a means of getting high via inhaling hydrocarbons by misusing a variety of legal products,. The term comes from the effect of inhaling metallic paints sprayed on a rag, which leaves a chrome residue on someone's face.
In 2014, 19-year-old Jonny Byrne, from Co
The drinking game encourages participants to film themselves 'necking' booze while performing a stunt, before nominating a friend to do the same. Jonny had jumped in the river after downing a pint of alcohol.
The teen's father, Joe Byrne, told
'It's cost my son his life. The whole family is devastated and our lives will never be the same again. I hope this message is heeded, because for us, life is virtually over.'