UK POLICE QUESTION MEN OVER DEATH OF EMIRATI PARALYMPIAN
▶ File sent to Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide if the six will be put on trial on charges of manslaughter by gross negligence
Six men could face trial in the UK for manslaughter after UAE discus thrower Abdullah Hayayei was killed during training for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.
The six were questioned by police on suspicion of manslaughter by ‘gross negligence’ over the death of the athlete in July 2017 when a throwing cage collapsed, according to London police. The wheelchair athlete and military veteran was struck on the head by a pole from the cage when it fell during an event practice session at a training ground for competitors in London, officials said.
Hayayei, 36, died despite the efforts of spectators, who tried to lift the cage from the father of five young children while paramedics treated him. He was declared dead 20 minutes after the accident.
Newham Leisure Centre, in East London, had been taken over by the organisers of the championships as a training venue three days before the accident, and had brought all the equipment with them.
Two of Hayayei’s coaches were with him at the time of the incident.
The roles of the six men who could face trial were not disclosed by officials but the investigation was likely to have focused on the cage and whether it was put up properly. Wheelchair athletes with co-ordination problems are normally secured to a circle within the cage to allow them to throw safely.
Police from the homicide and major crime squad have completed their investigations and passed the file to lawyers, who will decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute.
“Six males, aged 71, 63, 36, 38, 20 and 47, have been interviewed under caution in relation to the incident on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence,” police said. “A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.”
No further details were given on the six suspects. Gross negligence manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with new guidelines suggesting those found guilty will serve between one and 18 years. Hayayei was part of a 16-strong UAE team, whose members elected to continue to compete despite some of them seeing the accident. Mohammed Al Hammadi, who won four medals at the championships, said he would donate his prizes to his late teammate’s children.
Hayayei turned to sport after being injured in 2001 when a metal rod fell on his head.
He fought against the severe injuries, suffered during an army training accident when he was a serviceman, and went on to rebuild his life.
He competed in the 2015 World Championships in Qatar and the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil. Speaking to The National at the time, Dr Abdel Razag bin Rasheed, head of the Khor Fakkan Sports Club for the Disabled, described Hayayei as “our star player”.
“We were training him to be a coach and a player,” he said.
“We were confident that we were going to win this year but with what happened, the morale of the UAE team is low.
“Abdullah was their friend, their role model, their brother and their leader.”
Gross negligence manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison