Shocking Video Captures Moment Runner Is Attacked With Baton During Major Race

A high school track meet in Virginia took a disturbing turn when a sprinter suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture after being struck in the back of the head with a relay baton by a competitor.

Kaelen Tucker, a student at Brookville High School, was competing in the 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University on Friday, March 7. As the second leg runner, she was battling for position when the unexpected incident occurred.

Footage of the race shows Tucker attempting to merge into the inside lane, but what happened next left the audience in shock.

While Tucker's opponent did not initially block her from merging, video footage appears to show the other runner deliberately slowing down before swinging her arm back and striking Tucker on the head with the baton.

A gasp rippled through the crowd as the blow landed, sending Tucker crashing to the ground. She clutched her head in pain, clearly shaken by what had just happened.

Describing the moment to WSLS, Tucker said: "When you go to the other side of the track, you have to cross into lane one, you have to merge in. As I was coming up on her, she kind of like made me get cut off a little bit, so I backed away."

"Then, as we got around the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm. Then finally we got off the curve, I like slowly started passing her and then that's when she just hit me with the baton and I fell off the track."

Following the incident, Tucker started to feel the effects of the hit almost immediately.

She explained: "I could feel like a headache coming up, so I just sat out. I recently went to the doctor, and they prescribed me with a concussion and a possible fractured skull."

Now, her family is speaking out, saying they have yet to receive any form of apology from the opposing team or their coaches.

The family have spoken out Facebook

Her family shared their frustration with WSLS, saying: "They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her,"

"Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her."

Meanwhile, Tucker's mother, Tamarro, has taken action by reaching out to the sport's governing body. According to reports, officials have launched an investigation into the incident.

Before the shocking moment, Heritage (Lynchburg) High School was leading the race. However, following the incident, they ultimately finished in fifth place in the heats.