A junior high basketball player in Hsinchu County was crushed to death by a motorized basketball hoop at school, and his parents now blame the coach for pressuring students into moving the heavy equipment.

• The boy was hurt in the chest while he and four teammates pushed an electric hydraulic hoop across the school gym on Aug. 20; he died at the hospital.
• His parents released team LINE messages showing the coach told players to come help move the hoop, 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 principal said the hoops are heavy and folding them requires power and a set procedure that teachers and coaches are supposed to handle themselves.
• The students started moving the hoop before the coach had gathered everyone, and the coach has not yet been reached for comment.

Outlook: The family is filing a state compensation claim with the county government with help from two local councilors, while prosecutors and police investigate who was responsible.