Dangerous ‘Punch 4 Punch’ craze sees man charged with manslaughter

A 20-YEAR-OLD has been charged with manslaughter after violent internet craze “Punch 4 Punch” led to the death of a young father.

Tommy Main, 23, died after being knocked

A 20-year-old has been charged with manslaughter after violent internet craze “Punch 4 Punch” led to the death of a young father at a 16th birthday party.

Tommy Main, 23, collapsed while exchanging blows with 20-year-old Desmond Bartley at a house in southeast London, while other revellers filmed the fight.

But Tommy never woke up after playing the dangerous “game”, in which participants take turns hitting each other with one hand tied behind their back.

Tommy’s friends paid tribute to him on Facebook.

Matthew Davey, right, has been organising fundraisers for his daughter.

He was taken to hospital just before 1am on June 29 in a critical condition, and died an hour later without ever regaining consciousness.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as cardiac arrest following blunt chest impact, according to the Kent and Sussex Courier. Bartley was charged yesterday and is due to appear in custody at Bexley Magistrates’ Court today, The Mirror reported.

Tommy’s family criticised onlookers who filmed his collapse instead of helping, with witnesses reporting that the men had exchanged several blows before the young man collapsed.

His older brother, Roy, posted on his own Facebook page at the time: “I had to say goodbye to my little brother today for the last time. I’m hurting so bad.

“I don’t think ill ever be the same again ... for the people that was at the party that can see this call your self friends ... hope you cant sleep.” (sic)

Another brother, Ben, later posted: “I’m so sorry I didn’t look after you better. I’m a broken man without you ... I wish it was me and not you.” A third, Jon, shared a touching video tribute on YouTube.

“Rest In Peace Tommy, it was a pleasure growing up with you,” wrote one friend on a Facebook page dedicated to the young dad.

Matthew Davey, who set up the page to raise cash, posted: “The aim of this fundraiser is to raise as much as we can to help contribute towards funeral costs for the family and a brighter life for Aimee [Tommy’s four-year-old daughter]. We will also have a scrap book for anyone to write a note in or leave a picture so that Aimee has something to look at when she’s older and knows what a loved guy her dad was.”

Punch 4 Punch matches, which started in the US, are usually recorded on a smartphone and shared on social media. “Players” take it in turn to punch each other in the arm, stomach or even face, and the first person to “give in” usually has to complete a forfeit, such as drinking large quantities of alcohol.

The shocking game echoes other disturbing online trends, including Neknominate, in which participants knock back huge quantities of alcohol before nominating others to do the same.

It also follows a trend for vicious “Happy Slapping” videos, in which groups film themselves attacking strangers.

Tommy’s family lashed out at the onlookers who filmed his collapse.