A tragic accident in his hometown results in the death of a college football player

A college football Friday’s tragic accident in construction killed a player.

Sione Veikoso of Brigham Young University was killed in the accident that occurred in Kailua in Hawaii on Friday. The team posted the news on Twitter. Veikoso was in the area working with a crew of construction workers when the retaining wall fell. Transfer from Arizona State, Veikoso was a redshirt freshman who played one game for the Cougars 2022.

“We are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our brothers, Sione Veikoso,” Brigham Young head coach Kalani Sitake It was said Saturday in a tweet. “His passing is heartbreaking to all of us. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to his family as we share in their grief. Our love for you is forever, Sione!”

“The BYU Football Family mourns the passing of our dear teammate and fellow Cougar, Sione Veikoso,” BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe Additional statement added on Twitter “May his family and friends feel our love and faith at this most sacred and difficult time. Peace be with you now and forever Sione.”

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser36 firefighters from Honolulu Fire Department responded immediately to the collapse in Kailua’s residential neighborhood. Four people were trapped beneath the rubble when the 15-foot retaining walls collapsed. Residents attempted to use a mini excavator on the small stones to get rid of the workers. Because the wall was still unstable, firefighters had to stop them. By the time firefighters arrived, one person was already out of the rubble.

Two people were rescued by firefighters who removed the rocks manually. However, a third person was deeper under the rocks. They found the third person about an hour later but declared him dead on the spot. Both survivors were taken to the local hospital for treatment. A third survivor was also treated but refused medical attention. Two of the workers were able to escape with only minor injuries and did not require medical attention.

Later, family members identified Veikoso’s death as Veikoso.

A memorial was posted on the BYU football Website. Veikoso graduated Kailua high school where he was a football player. He graduated from high school and served a full-time mission in Brazil for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years from 2018 to 2020. The 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive lineman returned from his mission and enrolled at Arizona State. He played one game during his redshirt season with the Sun Devils. In the summer, he transferred to BYU and played one game for the Cougars. A GoFundMe was also set up by the team to assist his family with funeral expenses.

Veikoso was in holiday vacation when the accident happened. According to the Star-Advertiser, he was due to fly to BYU next Monday. Two sisters, Mele, and Sanimata are his survivors, as well as a brother, also named Sione.

“He was a gentle giant who loved his family. He was reliable and caring,” Veikoso’s cousin Joshua Kava wrote in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.