Junior high student killed by falling basketball hoop in Hsinchu, parents accuse coach
A student in Hsinchu County died after an electric basketball hoop crushed him while he and classmates were moving it, and his parents now say the team's coach pressured the boys into doing the job.
- The boy was hurt in the chest while five students pushed the heavy hoop to the side of the school gym, and he died at the hospital.
- His parents released team chat messages showing the coach told players to come help move the hoop, with a warning that anyone who skipped it would be barred from training in the gym.
- The boy had not planned to be at school that day and only went because of that message.
- The school's principal said the hoop is heavy, needs to be plugged in to fold up, and is supposed to be operated by teachers or coaches following a set procedure.
- The coach, who also heads the school's athletics section, has not yet been reached for his account.
Outlook: The family has hired two county councillors to help file a state compensation claim against the Hsinchu County government, while prosecutors and police continue investigating who was responsible.