Man Falls to Death From an Upper Level at Anaheim Stadium

A 19-year-old man fell to his death Wednesday night from an upper level of Anaheim Stadium, the first fatal fall in the facility’s 22-year history.

Police said it was not clear whether the man jumped, was pushed, or fell, although there was no indication of foul play.

The fall occurred at about 8:15 p.m., between the sixth and seventh innings of the game between the Angels and the Chicago White Sox, according to Sheri Erlewine, city of Anaheim spokeswoman.

Erlewine said the man, whose name and residence were not released pending notification of relatives, fell on his back from one of the stadium’s upper levels and was killed instantly.

The man landed on a 10-feet-tall concrete awning near Gate 5, according to a source at the scene who asked not to be identified.

Police are trying to determine whether the man fell from either the concourse, a circular walkway surrounding the stadium at the upper levels, or the ramps on the outside of the stadium. The ramps are bordered by 5-foot concrete walls.

Erlewine said that it would be impossible for someone sitting in the uppermost seats to climb or jump through a window-like opening at the top of the stands.

The man was declared dead at the scene, and the Orange County Coroner’s Office took custody of the body pending an autopsy, police said.

Apparently, few if any of the 22,765 spectators witnessed the fatal fall, and the game continued uninterrupted, police said.

“Anaheim police are working with stadium officials to determine how this man died,” Erlewine said, “and who he was with, if anyone, before he fell.”

The coroner was not expected to release the victim’s name until this morning. Anaheim police also will be investigating the death.