WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Football Club would like to extend its heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family of the fan who passed away as the result of an accident which occurred during Friday night’s game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The football club has been cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate this unfortunate accident and will continue to do so.
“The important thing right now is the individual’s family as they deal with their loss,? said Winnipeg Blue Bombers President and CEO Lyle Bauer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time.?
Contrary to an earlier published report, there have been no prior comments made by any Winnipeg Football Club officials with respect to this accident.
The Winnipeg Football Club will not be commenting further pending an investigation.
The man who fell 1 1/2 stories onto his head passed away sometime during the coarse of the day. I was sitting in section K and saw the whole thing. One of the scariest things ive seen.
[url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2006/08/05/1720145-sun.html]http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipe ... 5-sun.html[/url]There was a scary moment at Canad Inns Stadium last night when a fan fell about four metres from the north end zone stands and onto the concrete surrounding the field.
Special duty officers and paramedics attended to the man at the scene and he was taken to hospital in stable condition shortly after 7 p.m.
Patrick Matte, who was taking in the game, said he saw the man stumbling before he fell. He said he saw the man at the top of the stairs in the north end zone when he tried to turn left to go down the stairs.
He suddenly lost his balance, stumbled to the right towards the railing, and flipped over the side.
"Just as I looked up he was stumbling to the right," said Matte. "When I looked up again I just heard a gasp and I saw his feet go over the rail."
The incident happened early in the second quarter of the game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
A Bomber source said last night the man, who was intoxicated, apparently suffered a broken collarbone. The source said the man was drifting in and out of consciousness.
Paramedics attended to the victim, who lay motionless on the cement in front of section K, while police interviewed witnesses.
"At this time we are gathering the information in respect to the incident and the condition of the fan," said Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer. "We hope and pray that all will be well, and we'll provide information as it becomes available."
Stadium staff were seen in the second and third quarters cleaning up a pool of blood. The game played on throughout the incident.
He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Must have been internal bleeding or something.
Best wishes to his family & friends.