Boy dies in basketball mishap 
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URL: http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2002/04/01/FFXZNIV7HZC.html
A nine-year-old boy was killed playing basketball today after his attempt at a slam dunk caused a section of brick wall to collapse onto him.
Police said the boy was playing at his home in Hansen Road, Kilsyth in Melbourne's east, when the accident occurred around 2.10pm (AEST).
It was believed he attempted the slam-dunk shot into the hoop, which was affixed to a garage wall.
A section of brickwork broke loose and fell onto the boy.
Police said the boy was taken to Maroondah Hospital, where he died just over two hours later.
The boy's death was likely to revive calls for a ban on the slam-dunk manoeuvre after another youth was killed in similar circumstances in 1996.
A Victorian coroner recommended banning slam-dunking after 19-year-old Ryan Maloney was killed when the basketball pole and ring collapsed onto him as he performed the move at a public park at Dromana, south-east of Melbourne.
Deputy State Coroner Iain (Iain) West said his recommendation for a ban on slam-dunking was directed at basketball's lower grades, rather than the National Basketball League.
He also recommended that signs be erected on basketball backboards to highlight the dangers of slam-dunking and that the suppliers of the equipment introduce measures to make sure it did not become dangerous.
Submitted on 04/01/2002
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Reference:
The Age, Melbourne, 1 Apr 2002
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