The French Ice Hockey Federation and the Dunkirk club will be tried in correctional for manslaughter after the death of a child hit by a puck during a match in 2014.
The French Ice Hockey Federation and the Dunkirk club will be tried in corrections for manslaughter after the death of a child hit by a puck during a match in 2014, AFP learned on Monday from the parties.
The Federation, the Corsaires de Dunkerque club (currently in Division 1, at the second national level) and the association which managed the ice rink where the accident took place, are sent back to the criminal court on a date not yet fixed, a Club lawyer Pierre Cortier told AFP, confirming information from L’Équipe.
On November 2, 2014, 8-year-old Hugo, who was in the stands of the ice rink, was hit in the ear by a puck that came out of the playing area, shortly before the end of a Division match. 1 between Dunkirk and Reims.
High barriers were then not mandatory in this division on the entire pitch, but only behind the goals.
Asked by AFP, the Federation confirmed this referral to the court, without comment at this stage.
For the club, Me Cortier was surprised that the town hall of Dunkirk, placed under the status of assisted witness in this procedure, is not prosecuted.
A hockey puck weighs 170 grams and can be sent up to 175 km / h, according to the Federation website.