A 19-year-old New Zealander who died after suffering a serious head injury during a private “run-it-straight-style” game has been identified.

Multiple sources have confirmed the teenager was Ryan Satterthwaite, who worked at Mainfreight Transport in Palmerston North.

Satterthwaite was critically injured playing a tackle game with friends in Palmerston North on Sunday, police said.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said the teen suffered a serious head injury when tackled, and was taken to hospital by his friends.

“Tragically, he passed away in hospital on Monday night.”

Grantham said the young man’s death was “an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends”.

“The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear. While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.”

Grantham said police urged anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to “consider the significant safety and injury risks”.

“While this is not a criminal matter, Police will continue to undertake enquiries on behalf of the Coroner,” he said.

A tribute from one of Satterthwaite’s friend online said “fly high in the high heaven my beautiful brother. Love you forever and always my boy. See you in the next chapter”.

Another friend said “rest in paradise my boy. Love you so much”.

Semi-official competitions have been organised to compete in the game, which is built around actions seen in rugby union, rugby league, the NFL and AFL.

Opposing individuals – a ball runner and a tackler – stand at each end of a 20m x 4m field, and run full speed at each other with the goal of trying to bowl each other over.

This article has been reproduced with permission from Stuff.co.nz.