Teen dies following hockey injury

By foxsports
Published

A 16-year-old hockey player died after being struck by a puck in the chest during a youth game in Russia, Ria Novosti reported.

Maxim Koposov's plight became national news after he fell into a coma following the hit last weekend.

He collapsed onto the ice after being struck by the puck during a game for his local team, Olimpia, in the central city of Penza.

Teammates said Koposov attempted to carry on skating before falling again next to the benches last Saturday.

Despite a doctor giving him CPR, the teenager fell into the coma and never regained consciousness.

Yulia Volkonitina, a spokeswoman for the local sports authority, confirmed his death Friday.

"Thousands of people have supported Maxim and prayed for him all this time," she said. "Maxim was unable to wake up from a deep coma, and his heart stopped [Friday]. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and those close to him."