This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Sudden Deaths and Heart Conditions in Athletes'.


Specialist Courts 
Level 1, 86 Customhouse Quay 
DX SX11159 | Wel ington 
T: 04 462 6660 
W: www.justice.govt.nz 
SC-2022-113 
 
16 February 2022 
 
Chris McCashin 
 
Dear Chris 
 
Request for Sport deaths 
 
Thank you for your request through the FYI website for data on sport deaths which we received from 
our OIA team on 18 January 2022. Specifical y, you requested data for people who have died on the 
field/in action from 2000/2021. On 3 February we informed you that we can provide the number of 
closed cases coded under sport, by year of closure and category of sport. We offered a list of categories 
of sport to choose from, however as we did not receive a response, we are providing all categories. 
Please note we do not have data for this series available in CMS prior to 2009. 
 
In response to your request, please find the attached Table 1. Table 1 provides the number of deaths 
recorded where sports have been listed as a cause of death, by year, closed by the Coroner between 
January 2009 and December 2021. This data may differ from previously released or published data. 
This data was extracted from the Ministry of Justice's case management system as at 7 February 2022. 
Cases are included based on the date the case was closed by the coroner (this may differ to the findings 
issued date). Closed cases have a cause of death that has been determined by the coroner, where a 
finding or certificate has been issued. This data includes cases coded with a sports cause of death type 
listed in Appendix 1. 
 
Due to the manner in which information has been recorded by, or presented to the Coroner, the 
statistics provided should not be taken as representing every such instance. 
 
I trust this information is helpful to you. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
Lara Dyer 
Information Advisor 
DDI: 04 466 2786 
[email address] 

Table 1: Number of deaths recorded where sports have been listed as a cause of death, by year, closed by the coroner between January 2009 and December 2021
This data may differ from previously released or published data. This data was extracted from the Ministry  of Justice's case management system as at 7 February 2022.
Cases are included based on the date the case was closed by the coroner (this may differ to the findings issued date).
Closed cases have a cause of death that has been determined by the coroner, where a finding or certificate has been issued.
This data includes cases coded with a sports cause of death type listed in Appendix 1.
Due to the manner in which information has been recorded by, or presented to the Coroner, the statistics provided should not be taken as representing every such instance.
Sport Category
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Acrobatic Sports
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Adventure Sports
12
25
9
2
17
2
5
4
4
11
3
9
12
Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
2
1
0
1
7
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
3
Aesthetic Activities
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Boating Sports
4
6
4
5
5
5
2
7
10
3
4
9
4
Combative Sports
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
2
Equestrian Activities
0
0
0
4
3
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
Ice Or Snow Sports
0
3
1
0
7
3
3
1
4
2
0
1
0
Individual Athletic Activities
19
21
9
4
9
3
4
4
7
7
8
18
12
Individual Water Sports
32
30
26
36
44
22
21
25
27
37
30
23
32
Multidiscipline Sports
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Other School-Related Recreational Activities
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other Specified Sport/Exercise Activity
10
13
10
10
4
6
5
7
6
0
4
1
4
Power Sports
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
Racquet Sports
3
3
2
4
2
0
2
0
0
1
0
3
5
Target/Precision Sports
14
10
5
6
2
1
1
3
3
3
3
4
1
Team Bal  Sports
8
5
5
5
2
5
4
3
5
2
1
4
3
Team Bat Or Stick Sports
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
1
Team Water Sports
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Unlikely To Be Known
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Wheeled Motor Sports
5
7
8
0
4
8
7
0
6
2
2
3
1
Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
23
15
4
10
17
14
8
5
8
17
10
14
10
Total
136
140
84
88
124
74
64
63
84
89
72
89
92
Note to the requestor:
We do not have data for this series available in CMS prior to 2009.

Appendix 1: Breakdown of sports categories
Sport Category
Specific Sport
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.01 - Basketbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.02 - American Tackle Footbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.03 - American Touch or Flag Footbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.04 - Australian Rules Footbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.05 - Other Specified Footbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.06 - Unspecified Footbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.07 - Handbal  - Team
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.08 - Netbal
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.09 - Rugby Union
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.10 - Rugby League
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.11 - Unspecified Rugby
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.12 - Outdoor Soccer
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.13 - Indoor Soccer
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.14 - Unspecified Soccer
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.15 - Volleyball
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.16 - Walleyball
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.98 - Other Specified Team Bal  Sport
1 - Team Bal  Sports
1.99 - Unspecified Team Ball Sport
10 - Racquet Sports
10 - Racquet Sports
10.01 - Badminton
10 - Racquet Sports
10.02 - Racquetbal
10 - Racquet Sports
10.03 - Squash
10 - Racquet Sports
10.04 - Table Tennis/ Ping-Pong
10 - Racquet Sports
10.05 - Tennis
10 - Racquet Sports
10.98 - Other Specified Racquet Sport
10 - Racquet Sports
10.99 - Unspecified Racquet Sport
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.01 - Archery
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.02 - Bocce, Boules, Petanque
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.03 - Billiards, Pool, Snooker
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.04 - Lawn Bowling
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.05 - Croquet
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.06 - Darts
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.07 - Golf
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.08 - Ten Pin Bowling
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.09 - Firearm Shooting
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.10 - BB or Pel et Gun Shooting
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.11 - Paintbal  Gun Shooting
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.98 - Other Specified Target/Precision Sport
11 - Target/Precision Sports
11.99 - Unspecified Target/Precision Sport
12 - Combative Sports
12 - Combative Sports
12.01 - Akido
12 - Combative Sports
12.02 - Boxing
12 - Combative Sports
12.03 - Fencing
12 - Combative Sports
12.04 - Judo
12 - Combative Sports
12.05 - Jujitsu
12 - Combative Sports
12.06 - Karate
12 - Combative Sports
12.07 - Kendo
12 - Combative Sports
12.08 - Kick-Boxing
12 - Combative Sports
12.09 - Kung Fu
12 - Combative Sports
12.10 - Tae Kwon Do
12 - Combative Sports
12.11 - Wrestling - Freestyle
12 - Combative Sports
12.12 - Wrestling - Greco-Roman
12 - Combative Sports
12.13 - Wrestling - Profesional (entertainment style)
12 - Combative Sports
12.14 - Self Defence Training
12 - Combative Sports
12.98 - Other Specified Combative Sport
12 - Combative Sports
12.99 - Unspecified Combative Sport
13 - Power Sports
13 - Power Sports
13.01 - Power Lifting
13 - Power Sports
13.02 - Olympic Weightlifting
13 - Power Sports
13.03 - Strength Training/Body Building
13 - Power Sports
13.04 - Timber-related Sports
13 - Power Sports
13.98 - Other Specified Power Sport
13 - Power Sports
13.99 - Unspecified Power Sport
14 - Equestrian Activities
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.01 - Dressage
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.02 - Endurance Riding
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.03 - Eventing
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.04 - Mustering or Stock Work
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.05 - Polo/Polocrosee
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.06 - Pony Club
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.07 - Racing
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.08 - Rodeo
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.09 - Show Jumping
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.10 - Steeplechase
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.11 - Trail or General Horseback Riding
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.12 - Trotting/Harness
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.98 - Other Specified Equestrian Activity
14 - Equestrian Activities
14.99 - Unspecified Equestrian Activity
15 - Adventure Sports
15 - Adventure Sports
15.01 - Abseiling/Rappelling
15 - Adventure Sports
15.02 - Hiking
15 - Adventure Sports
15.03 - Mountaineering

15 - Adventure Sports
15.04 - Orienteering/Rogaining
15 - Adventure Sports
15.05 - River Rafting
15 - Adventure Sports
15.06 - Rock Climbing
15 - Adventure Sports
15.07 - Bungee Jumping
15 - Adventure Sports
15.08 - Base Jumping
15 - Adventure Sports
15.98 - Other Specified Adventure Sport
15 - Adventure Sports
15.99 - Unspecified Adventure Sport
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.01 - Riding an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.02 - Motorcycling
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.03 - Motor Car Racing
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.04 - Go-Carting/Carting
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.05 - Motorised Scootering
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.98 - Other Specified Motor Sport
16 - Wheeled Motor Sports
16.99 - Unspecified Motor Sport
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.01 - Cycling - BMX
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.02 - Cycling - Mountain
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.03 - Cycling - Road
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.04 - Cycling - Track/Velodrome
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.05 - Other Specified Cycling
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.06 - Unspecified Cycling
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.07 - In-Line Skating/Rollerblading
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.08 - Roller Skating
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.09 - Skate Boarding
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.10 - Scootering
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.11 - Spinning/Stationary Bike Riding
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.12 - Street Luge
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.98 - Other Specified Wheeled Non-Motored Sport
17 - Wheeled Non-Motored Sports
17.99 - Unspecified Wheeled Non-Motored Sport
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.01 - Biathlon - Cross-Country Skiing Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.02 - Biathlon - Shooting Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.03 - Biathlon - Unspecified Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.04 - Decathlon - 100 Metre Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.05 - Decathlon - 400 Metre Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.06 - Decathlon - 1,500 Metre Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.07 - Decathlon - 110 Metre Hurdles Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.08 - Decathlon - Long Jump Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.09 - Decathlon - High Jump Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.10 - Decathlon - Shot Putt Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.11 - Decathlon - Discus Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.12 - Decathlon - Javelin Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.13 - Decathlon - Pole Vault Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.14 - Decathlon - Unspecified Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.15 - Heptathlon -  200 Metre Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.16 - Heptathlon -  100 Metre Hurdles Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.17 - Heptathlon -  High Jump Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.18 - Heptathlon -  Long Jump Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.19 - Heptathlon -  Javelin Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.20 - Heptathlon -  Shot Putt Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.21 - Heptathlon -  800 Metre Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.22 - Heptathlon - Unspecified Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.23 - Modern Pentathlon -  Shooting Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.24 - Modern Pentathlon -  Fencing Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.25 - Modern Pentathlon -  Swimming Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.26 - Modern Pentathlon -  Equestrian Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.27 - Modern Pentathlon -  Running Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.28 - Modern Pentathlon - Unspecified Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.29 - Triathlon - Cycling Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.30 - Triathlon - Running Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.31 - Triathlon - Swimming Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.32 - Triathlon - Unspecified Event
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.98 - Other Specified Multidiscipline Sport
18 - Multidiscipline Sports
18.99 - Unspecified Multidiscipline Sport
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.01 - Aerobatics
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.02 - Gliding
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.03 - Hang Gliding
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.04 - Parachuting/Sky Diving
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.05 - Paragliding/Parasailing
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.06 - Hot Air Ballooning
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.98 - Other Specified Aero Sport
19 - Aero (Non-Motored) Sports
19.99 - Unspecified Aero Sport
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.01 - Basebal
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.02 - Cricket
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.03 - Ice Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.04 - Street/Bal  Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.05 - Field Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.06 - Floor Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.07 - Other Specified Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.08 - Unspecified Hockey
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.09 - Ringette
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.10 - Softbal
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.11 - T - bal
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.12 - Indoor Cricket

2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.13 - Lacrosse
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.14 - Vigoro
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.98 - Other Specified Team Bat or Stick Sport
2 - Team Bat Or Stick Sports
2.99 - Unspecified Team Bat or Stick Sport
20 - Other School-Related Recreational Activities
20 - Other School-Related Recreational Activities
20.01 - School Physical Education Class
20 - Other School-Related Recreational Activities
20.02 - School Free Play
20 - Other School-Related Recreational Activities
20.98 - Other Specified School Sport/Exercise Activity
20 - Other School-Related Recreational Activities
20.99 - Unspecified School Sport/Exercise Activity
3 - Team Water Sports
3 - Team Water Sports
3.01 - Rescue and Resuscitation
3 - Team Water Sports
3.02 - Synchronised Swimming
3 - Team Water Sports
3.03 - Underwater Hockey
3 - Team Water Sports
3.04 - Water Polo
3 - Team Water Sports
3.98 - Other Specified Team Water Sport
3 - Team Water Sports
3.99 - Unspecified Team Water Sport
4 - Boating Sports
4 - Boating Sports
4.01 - Canoeing
4 - Boating Sports
4.02 - Jet Skiing
4 - Boating Sports
4.03 - Kayaking/White-Water Rafting
4 - Boating Sports
4.04 - Power Boat Racing
4 - Boating Sports
4.05 - Rowing/Sculling
4 - Boating Sports
4.06 - Surf Boating
4 - Boating Sports
4.07 - Yachting/Sailing
4 - Boating Sports
4.98 - Other Specified Boating Sport
4 - Boating Sports
4.99 - Unspecified Boating Sport
5 - Individual Water Sports
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.01 - Diving - Platform
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.02 - Diving - Springboard
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.03 - Diving - Unspecified
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.04 - Fishing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.05 - Scuba Diving
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.06 - Snorkelling
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.07 - Surfing/Boogie Boarding
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.08 - Surf Life Saving
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.09 - Swimming - Competitive
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.10 - Water Skiing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.11 - Water Tubing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.12 - Wind Surfing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.13 - Diving - Cliff
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.14 - Swimming - Recreational
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.15 - Rock Fishing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.16 - Crabbing, Crayfishing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.17 - Underwater Fishing
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.18 - Compressor Diving
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.19 - Sailboarding
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.98 - Other Specified Individual Water Sport
5 - Individual Water Sports
5.99 - Unspecified Individual Water Sport
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.01 - Bobsledding
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.02 - Curling
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.03 - Ice Skating/Ice Dancing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.04 - Luge
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.05 - Ski Patrolling
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.06 - Alpine/Downhill Skiing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.07 - Nordic/Cross Country Skiing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.08 - Freestyle Ski ng
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.09 - Snow Ski Jumping
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.10 - Other Specified Skiing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.11 - Unspecified Skiing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.12 - Snowmobiling
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.13 - Snow Boarding
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.14 - Speed Skating
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.15 - Tobogganing
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.98 - Other Specified Ice or Snow Sport
6 - Ice Or Snow Sports
6.99 - Unspecified Ice or Snow Sport
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.01 - Aerobics/Callisthenics
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.02 - Jogging/Running
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.03 - Tai Chi
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.04 - Track & Field - Racing over Obstacles or Hurdles
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.05 - Track & Field - Sprinting (1- 400 metres)
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.06 - Track & Field - Running Middle Distances (401- 1,500 Metres)
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.07 - Track & Field - Running Long Distances (greater than 1,500 Metres)
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.08 - Track & Field - High Jump
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.09 - Track & Field - Long Jump
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.10 - Track & Field - Pole Vault
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.11 - Track & Field - Triple Jump
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.12 - Track & Field - Discus
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.13 - Track & Field - Javelin
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.14 - Track & Field - Hammer Throw
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.15 - Track & Field - Shot Putt
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.16 - Other Specified Track & Field
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.17 - Unspecified Track & Field
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.18 - Walking
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.19 - Yoga/Pilates
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.20 - Stationary Aerobic Exercise with Equipment

7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.98 - Other Specified Individual Athletic Activity
7 - Individual Athletic Activities
7.99 - Unspecified Individual Athletic Activity
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.01 - Cheerleading
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.02 - Gymnastics - Balance Beam
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.03 - Gymnastics - Floor Exercise/Tumbling
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.04 - Gymnastics - High Bar
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.05 - Gymnastics - Parallel Bars
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.06 - Gymnastics - Rhythmic (with props)
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.07 - Gymnastics - Rings
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.08 - Gymnastics - Side Horse/Pommel Horse
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.09 - Gymnastics - Trampoline/Mini-Trampoline
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.10 - Gymnastics - Uneven Paral el Bars
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.11 - Gymnastics - Vault
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.12 - Other Specified Gymnastics
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.13 - Unspecified Gymnastics
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.98 - Other Specified Acrobatic Sport
8 - Acrobatic Sports
8.99 - Unspecified Acrobatic Sport
9 - Aesthetic Activities
9 - Aesthetic Activities
9.01 - Dancing
9 - Aesthetic Activities
9.02 - Marching
9 - Aesthetic Activities
9.98 - Other Specified Aesthetic Sport
9 - Aesthetic Activities
9.99 - Unspecified Aesthetic Sport
9 - Aesthetic Activities
98 - Other Specified Sport/Exercise Activity
888 - Still Enquiring
999 - Unlikely To Be Known

Document Outline