Cricket umpire killed by fielder's throw

SWANSEA, Wales, July 5 (UPI) -- Hundreds of spectators watched as a cricket umpire died after he was hit on the head by a ball thrown by a fielder, Welsh cricket officials said.

Alcwyn Jenkins, 72, was collapsed after he was struck. Players from both teams tried to resuscitate him before he was taken by air ambulance to a nearby hospital, where The Daily Mail reports he never regained consciousness.

The fielder, playing in an amateur league game for Llangennech in Swansea, was not named. Officials assured him he should not feel guilty for the throw which was from about 40 yards away.

Jenkins was a widower and a father of two and had been umpiring for 25 years.

"Alcwyn was a great guy," said Neil Hobbs, honorary chairman of the South Wales Cricket Association. "He was well respected throughout the league and everybody knew him."