A university freshman was killed in a freak accident after dunking a basketball and becoming impaled on a faulty pole.

Yuwo Yihang of Jinggangshan University in Jiangxi province, was gripping the edge of the ring after a dunk when the stand fell and the edge of the pole stabbed his chest on Tuesday, according to Guo Chunxin, the university publicity chief.

The young man was confirmed dead by first aid staff on their arrival in front of grieving team mates together who were warming up for game against another class.

Guo claimed responsibility on behalf of the university, "The basket leaned down so it was easy for the 1.71m-height boy to reach. And there was problem with the base."

The basketball stand was installed in 2004 and the university was accountable for not checking the safety, according to Guo.

Zhang Jian, a sale manager of a sports device company base in Ningbo said the safe service life of a normal basketball stand is no more than six years. "Overdue sports equipment is common in schools because of financial concerns," Zhang said.

Zhang pointed out that the student who died was using an outdoor device, which is more liable to deteriorate due to natural causes.

Yuwo Yihang's death sent waves through his hometown Ningbo, where a city-wide sport equipment check-up is underway. The city sport authority warned proper people to use equipment safely and stay alert to their condition.