Atlanta Braves Fan Dies After Falling at Turner Field
Atlanta Braves Fan, Ronald Lee Homer, 29 of Conyers, Georgia attended a baseball game on Monday August 12th against the Philadelphia Phillies. While at the game, Homer fell 6 stories and 65 feet from the upper seating deck of Turner Field which led to his death. There are no details to the cause of the fall yet. There was a rain delay at the field that night causing the game to start shortly after 9 pm. The Atlanta police say that the fall looked accidental and there were no indications of foul play. Homer had called his mom, Connie, while on his way to his seat and had told her he loved her. His father shared with a local news reporter that Homer was 6 foot-6 or 6 foot-7 and that he thinks the railings around the stadium too short for Homer’s height. The railings meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code Standard 101, which is 42 inches high.
The Braves issued a statement in regards to Mr. Homer’s fatal accident, “The Atlanta Braves extend our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Mr. Homer’s family and friends. We are saddened by this tragic incident and will continue our investigation along with the Atlanta Police Department. We will have no further comment until the investigation is complete.”
Unfortunately, this has not been the only fall that has led to death at Turner field. In 2008, Justin Hayes, 25, of Cumming, Georgia fell from the upper deck concourse to the field level concourse behind home plate and died as well.
Once more investigation is done, if Homer’s fall was due to a hazard on Turner Field’s property it could lead to a premise liability case. Anything from ice to exposed cords that could trip someone could be continued negligence of Turner Field. Hazardous conditions should have plenty of warnings around them or safety netting to prevent “invitees” from being injured.
We send our condolences to Mr. Homer’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Source: AJC, “Unknown what caused man’s fatal fall at Turner Field,” August 14, 2013.