Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
New Details After Fan Incident at PPG Paints Arena Released by Penguins Officials
Penguins officials have released new details regarding the fan who fell from the upper concourse level this week, and he was not using the staircase.
A release from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Oak View Group, the manager of PPG Paints Arena, confirmed that a fan who fell during a game against the St. Louis Blues on Monday was not using the staircase in that part of the arena when it occurred. They added that the safety barrier in the section remained intact.
"The fan was not using the designated staircase at the time of the incident, and the safety barrier remained intact."
"All safety barriers were constructed in accordance with building and safety codes and have been properly maintained," the statement said.
"In response to this isolated incident, we are reviewing all details from the game."
- Official statement
"All safety barriers were constructed in accordance with building and safety codes and have been properly maintained," the statement said.
"In response to this isolated incident, we are reviewing all details from the game."
- Official statement
It occurred early in the first period, with the fan falling from Section 234, striking another spectator in the suite level below before landing on a walkway between the FNB Club and Section 122.
Photos taken after the fall showed that a pane of glass was indeed missing near the area where it took place.
There is still no update on the fan's current health situation
Police said he was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. An official update on his status has not been provided.
The team and arena operators added that their thoughts continue to be with the individual injured during Monday night's game and his family, too.
It was the third serious fall at a Pittsburgh sports venue in the past six months. In April, Kavan Markwood fell about 20 feet over a right-field wall at PNC Park during a Pirates game and was later reported to be recovering.
Just days before Monday's incident, Keith Keller fell about 50 feet from the scoreboard at Acrisure Stadium while working on camera equipment. He also remains in recovery after being hospitalized in critical condition.
Such incidents are infrequent, but they have brought fresh attention to safety protocols across sports facilities in Pittsburgh. Arena officials say a full review of Monday's fall is underway.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 30 | 74 ANSWERS New Details After Fan Incident at PPG Paints Arena Released by Penguins Officials Are you eagerly awaiting further details on this incident? | ||
| Yes | 44 | 59.5 % |
| No | 30 | 40.5 % |
| List of polls | ||