NEWS ALERT: Another deadly social media trend claims a young life as a 19-year-old teenager died from a head injury while participating in the viral “RUNIT” challenge.
This dangerous game, gaining popularity despite warnings from experts, involves participants running directly at each other without protective equipment.
Police in New Zealand confirmed that Ryan Satterthwaite suffered a fatal head injury over the weekend, during what they described as an “impromptu game among friends” in Palmerston North.
The young man died the following day from his injuries, bringing national attention to this growing trend that combines elements of rugby and NFL tackling without any of the safety protocols.
Inspector Ross Grantham from the New Zealand Police called the incident “a huge tragedy” and warned others about the dangers of this activity.
“A young man lost his life as a result of participating in what I understand to be a social media frenzy,” Inspector Grantham stated.
The game, also known as “RUNIT Straight” or “Run It Straight,” has exploded in popularity through social media, particularly in Australia and New Zealand.
What began as a casual backyard activity has evolved into organized tournaments with substantial cash prizes, drawing thousands of spectators.
Recent trial events in Auckland attracted over 1,000 people, with prize money reaching up to 250,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately $150,000 USD).
Medical experts have been vocal about the extreme risks despite the growing popularity.
Participants have been documented as suffering seizures and losing consciousness during these events.
At a recent tournament in Auckland, two competitors were forced to withdraw due to head injuries sustained during collisions.
“This young man’s death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends,” the inspector said.
“The tackle game … was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear,” he added.
While some events have attempted to implement basic safety measures, many backyard games like the one that claimed Satterthwaite’s life have no supervision or medical personnel present.
The Australian RUNIT Championship League organizers issued a statement claiming the sport should only be conducted under “strict conditions with professional supervision.”
Yet, they continue promoting events with increasingly larger prize pools.
The tragedy highlights social media’s dangerous influence on young people seeking thrills or attention.
It also follows a disturbing pattern of viral challenges that put participants at risk of serious injury or death while platforms profit from the engagement these dangerous trends generate.
“While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity,” Grantham continued.
He urged people to “consider the significant safety and injury risks” before participating in such activities.
Despite the fatality, some promoters remain defiant. Kimami Ngaluafe, who organizes another “run it straight” event, dismissed concerns by claiming, “It’s a Kiwi national backyard sport. The boys are currently playing as we speak.”
This cavalier attitude toward safety comes as medical experts continue to warn about the preventable nature of such injuries and the long-term brain damage that can result from repeated collisions.
As parents and communities grapple with the influence of social media on young people’s decision-making, Satterthwaite’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the real-world consequences.
These can result from virtual trends designed to generate views and engagement with little regard for participant safety.
