SWNS_POST_DEATH_40

Photo of a barrier similar to the one which was implicated it the death of 12 year old Oliver Croker. See SWNS story SWBOY; Tributes have been paid to a young football fan who died in a freak accident while watching a match – after part of an FA ‘Respect’ banner smashed into his head. Oliver Croker, 12, was watching an amateur game with his family when some players collided with a banner that is placed on the sidelines at grass roots matches. Part of the framework of the banner became impaled in the youngster’s head and he was airlifted to hospital. He was transferred to a specialist brain injury unit and placed on a life support machine but tragically failed to pull through.