Man falls to his death during Texans-Vikings game

Houston, TX, United States (4E Sports) – A 45-year old man fell to his death while horse-playing on an escalator at Reliant Stadium during the Houston Texans final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Police said the man was trying to slide down the outside of the handrail on the escalator when he fell three stories, landing on the pavement. Authorities have refused to reveal the victim’s identity until his family was informed of the incident.

The man, who was reported to be under the influence of alcohol, was rushed to Memorial Hermann Southwest but he was dead on arrival. Authorities are further investigating what they described as “accidental death.”

Texans president Jamey Rootes declined to comment but Reliant Park issued a statement confirming there had been an escalator accident involving a fan and that the victim had been taken to the hospital.

Reliant spokesperson Nina Jackson, however, could not confirm a time for the fall or specific elevator linked to the incident.

Randall Wisdom, a Texans fan, told KHOU Houston that he and his 18-year-old daughter were on the escalator below the victim when he fell. According to them, they saw a hat and a cup fall, and the man came next.

“My daughter is devastated, she’s never experienced something like that,” Wisdom said. “We saw him when he landed.”

Last year at Rangers Ballpark, firefighter Shannon Stone died when he tumbled over a 33-inch-tall railing and plunged 20 feet onto concrete below while trying to catch a ball thrown by Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton for his 9-year-old son Cooper.

The 39-year-old Stone was rushed to the hospital but he died hours later due to injuries sustained from the fall.

The incident prompted the Rangers to raise the height of front-row rails at Rangers Ballpark to 42 inches.

“The safety of our fans is our top priority,” said Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan. “The initiatives we are announcing for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will help to ensure that we meet that priority.”

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