Seven-year-old dies after goalpost collapses on him

Apr 08, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – A tragic accident on Friday evening has left a family in mourning after a seven-year-old boy was killed when a goalpost toppled onto him at the Swan ball field along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Dead is Michael Hyderkhan, a Grade two pupil of Swan Primary School and a resident of Swan Village. The incident occurred around 20:00 hrs during a football tournament played under floodlights at the community ground. Michael had accompanied his family to the event to support his father, who was among the players participating in the competition.

Seven-year-old dies after goalpost collapses on him

Dead: Michael Hyderkhan

According to information, at the conclusion of the match, several children entered the field and began playing in the vicinity of one of the goalposts. Michael was among them when the structure suddenly collapsed, striking him.

Persons at the venue immediately raised an alarm and rushed to assist the injured child. He was quickly transported to the Diamond Regional Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, the child succumbed to his injuries approximately 30 minutes after arriving at the facility.

The goal post that fatally struck the seven-year-old ( photo credit Nandranie Singh Facebook page)

Kaieteur News spoke with the child’s mother, Shenella Hyderkhan, on Tuesday, as she recounted the devastating ordeal that unfolded within moments. “We were at a floodlight football game and his father is a player, that’s why we went out there to watch him play,” the grieving mother said.

She explained that following the match, children were playing freely on the field when the incident occurred. According to her, the condition of the ground may have contributed to the collapse of the goalpost.

The mother believes that the sand-filled surface of the field, combined with wet conditions, may have caused the base of the goalpost to become unstable. “I think the sand was wet and the post sink forward and fall,” she said.

Still visibly shaken by the tragedy, the mother struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss of her son. “Right now I am in disbelief. I still can’t process this,” she said. Michael leaves behind two siblings, ages nine and two, as the family continues to grapple with the profound loss. Michael was described by his mother as energetic, brave and always willing to lend a helping hand.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted today to determine the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Nandranie Singh, has raised concerns about safety conditions at community recreational facilities following the incident.

In a statement issued on Monday, Singh said she visited the grieving family and later inspected the ball field where the tragedy occurred. She noted that the field is sand-filled and that the goalpost was positioned in an area where water tends to accumulated.

“This situation raises serious concerns about the safety of equipment and the conditions under which community recreational spaces are maintained,” Singh stated. She added that the incident underscores the urgent need for clear safety standards, routine inspections, and proper installation and anchoring of equipment at public recreational facilities.

“Communities deserve recreational spaces that are safe for our children and families, and this tragedy highlights the importance of ensuring that such facilities are properly monitored and maintained by the responsible authorities,” she said. Singh also called on the government to provide meaningful support to the grieving family as they navigate this difficult period.

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goalpost, Michael Hyderkhan, Shenella Hyderkhan, Swan ball field

One thought on “Seven-year-old dies after goalpost collapses on him”

habeeb April 8, 2026 at 2:59 pm

That is metal goal post with what looks like “chicken Wire” or Fence wire.
The adults failed to secure it with sandbags- at least 4 would have prevented
it toppling over.

Reply ↓

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