NHL fan fighting for his life after falling from stands celebrating goal | Other | Sport
A Pittsburgh Penguins fan remains in a critical condition after falling from the stands during a match at the PPG Paints Arena. The supporter is believed to have tumbled over the railings following the team’s second goal of the evening. The fan plummeted from the upper concourse, hitting another spectator before crashing down 25 rows behind the Penguins’ bench.
One witness told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette they initially thought the fan was larking about as they swayed, but then watched them miss several steps before falling. The person was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department, with an investigation now underway to determine what caused the fall.
Ten seats in the first two rows of Section 234 in the venue were cordoned off.
The NHL franchise said in a statement: “The Pittsburgh Penguins can confirm that an adult male fell from the upper concourse to the lower bowl at PPG Paints Arena earlier this evening. The individual was immediately tended to by Pittsburgh EMS as well as PPG Paints Arena personnel and has since been transported to a local hospital.
“Although there is no further information at this time, the Penguins and OVG Management Group are closely monitoring the situation. Our concerns remain with the individual and his family at this time.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins were up against the St. Louis Blues on Monday night, a match won by the hosts, and their captain Sidney Crosby expressed his concern about the incident after the game. “We just heard someone fell tonight,” he explained.
“Doesn’t feel right to be talking about points. My thoughts and prayers to that person.”
Dan Muse, the coach of the Penguins, said he’s praying for the fan’s family. “We all come here for a sport and a game, and when you hear something like that, it kind of puts everything else aside,” he stated.
This isn’t the first time in the city of Pittsburgh that a fan has suffered a serious injury while watching one of their sports teams. Kavan Markwood, a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, sustained serious injuries following a fall at PNC Park.
He was left with a fractured skull after he fell more than 20 feet from the stands in May.
On Saturday evening, a worker at Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, sustained leg injuries when he fell about 50 feet while working near the stadium’s scoreboard.
