SANTO TOMAS, La Union: A practical joke proved fatal for a 15-year-old boy who died after his playmate accidentally hacked his neck on Friday night here.

Police said Al James Estacio, of Barangay Cabaroan, lost a lot of blood from a neck wound after his playmate, also 15-year-old, playfully wielded and swung a katana (Japanese sword) hitting his neck when the sheath slipped exposing the blade.