BERLIN -- A German sports official died Monday a day after being struck in the throat by a javelin.

The 74-year-old man was officiating at a youth meet in the western city of Duesseldorf when the incident happened late Sunday, police spokesman Andre Hartwig said.

He was immediately taken to the hospital but died of injuries early Monday, Hartwig said.

The local athletics association for Duesseldorf and Neuss identified the man as Dieter Strack.

"The popular and experienced sports judge was the victim of a tragic accident while carrying out his duties on Aug. 26," the association said on its website. "All of us who were there are horrified and in shock."

Hartwig said that the 15-year-old athlete who threw the javelin was receiving psychological counseling.

Police have opened an investigation into the official's death, but initial indications were that it had been an accident, he added.

The competition in the Rath district of Duesseldorf was called off after the incident.