Life Darwin Award Candidate at Turner Field

KCChiefsMan · 05-22-2008, 08:25 PM

ATLANTA -- Alcohol was a factor in the death of a 25-year-old man who fell down a stairwell at Turner Field during the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets on Wednesday night.

Justin Hayes of Cumming, Ga., suffered head injuries and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

The investigation is "pointing toward drinking. Alcohol was a factor," Atlanta police spokesman Ronald Campbell said Thursday.

Hayes' parents said Justin Hayes had "a couple of beers."

"According to his friends, he had a couple of beers like most people at a game," said John and Cindy Hayes in a statement released Thursday. "They were leaving and having fun, and he did what he does at home -- tried to slide down the railing. Unfortunately, he just slipped over."

Campbell said Hayes fell about 150 feet from the club level to the landing on the field level during the eighth inning. Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Thursday the fall was about 50 to 60 feet.

"This was a tragic, horrible accident," Hayes' parents said. "Justin was a very strong Christian person, from a strong Christian family, who had never been in any trouble. He really cared about people and went out of his way to help anyone who needed it. We realize most parents will say that about their child, but that was honestly how he was."

Mark Guilbeau, the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, said an autopsy will be performed.

The Braves issued a statement Thursday expressing sympathy for Hayes' family.

"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," the statement said. "Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family."

Braves spokeswoman Beth Marshall said the team had no additional comment pending the investigation.

Turner Field, built for the 1996 Olympics, has been the Braves' home stadium since 1997. The Braves said it's the first non-medical fatality at the stadium.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Sorry, I'm sure he was a nice guy and all and it's sad, but that's still stupid. Sliding on a rail with a 150 ft drop on the other end.

**frazod** · 05-22-2008, 08:34 PM

That 150 foot figure can't be right. I've sat in the club level at Turner Field, and certainly don't recall walking up 15 flights of stairs to get there.

stlchiefs · 05-22-2008, 08:35 PM

That's the 2nd fan that has happened to at a MLB game. IIRC it happened at Shea as well.

ChiefsCountry · 05-22-2008, 08:56 PM

I remember seein some dumbass do it at Arrowhead, but he was the lucky that the Gate's BBQ tent saved his ass.

Valiant · 05-22-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

ATLANTA -- Alcohol was a factor in the death of a 25-year-old man who fell down a stairwell at Turner Field during the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets on Wednesday night.

Justin Hayes of Cumming, Ga., suffered head injuries and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

The investigation is "pointing toward drinking. Alcohol was a factor," Atlanta police spokesman Ronald Campbell said Thursday.

Hayes' parents said Justin Hayes had "a couple of beers."

"According to his friends, he had a couple of beers like most people at a game," said John and Cindy Hayes in a statement released Thursday. "They were leaving and having fun, and he did what he does at home -- tried to slide down the railing. Unfortunately, he just slipped over."

Campbell said Hayes fell about 150 feet from the club level to the landing on the field level during the eighth inning. Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Thursday the fall was about 50 to 60 feet.

"This was a tragic, horrible accident," Hayes' parents said. "Justin was a very strong Christian person, from a strong Christian family, who had never been in any trouble. He really cared about people and went out of his way to help anyone who needed it. We realize most parents will say that about their child, but that was honestly how he was."

Mark Guilbeau, the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, said an autopsy will be performed.

I am sorry but the second bolded part.. WTF does that have to do with anything??? At least he did not fall on anybody and take them with him..

**frazod** · 05-22-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I am sorry but the second bolded part.. WTF does that have to do with anything??? At least he did not fall on anybody and take them with him..

It's the South, dude. His casket will probably be shaped like Dale Earnhardt's car.

ChiTown · 05-22-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I am sorry but the second bolded part.. WTF does that have to do with anything??? At least he did not fall on anybody and take them with him..

It's what grieving parents say when stuff like this happens. It's parents trying to preserve the memory of their child. No big deal. I get it.

**Rain Man** · 05-22-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

Mark Guilbeau, the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, said an autopsy will be performed.

My hunch is that it'll show that he died of a fall.

**frazod** · 05-22-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My hunch is that it'll show that he died of a fall.

My money's on the sudden stop at the end.

stlchiefs · 05-22-2008, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My hunch is that it'll show that he died of a fall.

That's a little presumptuous don't you think?

whoman69 · 05-22-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I am sorry but the second bolded part.. WTF does that have to do with anything??? At least he did not fall on anybody and take them with him..

My guess is they're trying to minimize his own stupidity in causing his death, thus making the Braves liabel.

Dave Lane · 05-23-2008, 04:17 AM

He's with Jesus now!

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-23-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

I am sorry but the second bolded part.. WTF does that have to do with anything??? At least he did not fall on anybody and take them with him..

Maybe if his parents would have taken 10 seconds out of their lives to tell this moron that sliding down guard rails at home or anywhere else is stupid, maybe he'd still be here.

Or maybe not.

Natural selection at its finest.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-23-2008, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

He's with Jesus now!

Did their gardener die, too?

**RNR** · 05-23-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Did their gardener die, too?

05-22-2008, 08:25 PM
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $1524374	Darwin Award Candidate at Turner Field ATLANTA -- Alcohol was a factor in the death of a 25-year-old man who fell down a stairwell at Turner Field during the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets on Wednesday night. Justin Hayes of Cumming, Ga., suffered head injuries and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. The investigation is "pointing toward drinking. Alcohol was a factor," Atlanta police spokesman Ronald Campbell said Thursday. Hayes' parents said Justin Hayes had "a couple of beers." "According to his friends, he had a couple of beers like most people at a game," said John and Cindy Hayes in a statement released Thursday. "They were leaving and having fun, and he did what he does at home -- tried to slide down the railing. Unfortunately, he just slipped over." Campbell said Hayes fell about 150 feet from the club level to the landing on the field level during the eighth inning. Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Thursday the fall was about 50 to 60 feet. "This was a tragic, horrible accident," Hayes' parents said. "Justin was a very strong Christian person, from a strong Christian family, who had never been in any trouble. He really cared about people and went out of his way to help anyone who needed it. We realize most parents will say that about their child, but that was honestly how he was." Mark Guilbeau, the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, said an autopsy will be performed. The Braves issued a statement Thursday expressing sympathy for Hayes' family. "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," the statement said. "Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family." Braves spokeswoman Beth Marshall said the team had no additional comment pending the investigation. Turner Field, built for the 1996 Olympics, has been the Braves' home stadium since 1997. The Braves said it's the first non-medical fatality at the stadium. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press Sorry, I'm sure he was a nice guy and all and it's sad, but that's still stupid. Sliding on a rail with a 150 ft drop on the other end.
Posts: 11,478

05-22-2008, 08:34 PM	#2
frazod Kneel before Zod Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2838547	That 150 foot figure can't be right. I've sat in the club level at Turner Field, and certainly don't recall walking up 15 flights of stairs to get there. __________________ I'm not mean; I just don't like you.
Posts: 85,828

05-22-2008, 08:35 PM	#3
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $146366	That's the 2nd fan that has happened to at a MLB game. IIRC it happened at Shea as well.
Posts: 4,078

05-22-2008, 08:56 PM	#4
ChiefsCountry MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $648286	I remember seein some dumbass do it at Arrowhead, but he was the lucky that the Gate's BBQ tent saved his ass. __________________
Posts: 24,467

05-23-2008, 04:17 AM	#12
Dave Lane Space Cadet Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, Mo, USA Casino cash: $2199172	He's with Jesus now! __________________ Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science. Charles Darwin
Posts: 19,513

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