Overview
- Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died on May 25 in Palmerston North after suffering a fatal head injury during an informal ‘Run It Straight’ match.
- The unsanctioned game pits two participants in head-on collisions across a 20-metre field without helmets or padding, emulating high-impact sports hits.
- Medical experts warn that collisions in the challenge can generate forces over five times those of a rugby tackle, sharply raising the risk of brain injury or death.
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon labelled the craze reckless, urging social media influencers and organisers to stop promoting or holding events.
- Sports minister Mark Mitchell has sought legal advice on regulating the activity as several schools, local councils and major venues move to ban the challenge.