Man Dies in Fall During Braves-Mets Game

May 22, 2008 -- ATLANTA — A 25-year-old man died from injuries sustained after falling about 150 feet down a stairwell at Turner Field during Wednesday night's game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.

The senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, Mark Guilbeau, said Thursday that the man who fell was Justin Hayes of Cumming, Ga.

Guilbeau said an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.

Atlanta Police Department spokesman Ronald Campbell said Hayes was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious head injuries. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hayes was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Hayes apparently fell from the club level to the landing on the stairwell on the field level during the eighth inning.

Campbell said Hayes may have been sliding down the handrails when he fell and that alcohol may have been involved.

Police are still investigating the incident.

The Braves, in a statement released Thursday morning, said: "The Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Police Department are investigating the tragic accident that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male fan at last night's game. Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family."

Earlier this season, a fan at Shea Stadium in New York was killed when he plunged four stories from an escalator during a game. According to media reports, witnesses said the man was perched on the escalator handrail when he lost his balance and fell.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.