Seven Injured by Falling Tiles at SkyDome

Two 30-pound tiles fell from the upper deck of SkyDome during a baseball game Thursday, injuring seven fans and sending other spectators scrambling for cover.

“It was bizarre,” said Debbie Webster, who was watching the Toronto Blue Jays play the Milwaukee Brewers when the wooden tiles tumbled down in the seventh inning. “Everything came crashing down.”

Two people were removed on stretchers after the panels fell 40-50 feet from the facing of the fifth deck to the crowd below.

Five people were treated for cuts at SkyDome’s medical center and released, and an elderly man was given stitches. A teen-age girl with head cuts was brought to Toronto Western Hospital.

“It hit me right in the head,” said Ron Davies, 45. “I have a headache and a stiff neck.”

The game wasn’t stopped, and many in the crowd of 43,490 weren’t immediately aware of what happened. But those seated near the injured fans were stunned when the acoustic tiles plunged from the top of the stadium.

“Everybody grabbed their heads and a couple of people grabbed their legs, too,” Kevin Archibald said.

“Nobody said anything; there was just a big gasp,” Brett Rogers said.

Police used yellow tape to seal off the section where the tiles landed in the second deck. Blood stained the floor under the seats.

Blue Jay spokesman Howard Starkman called it “an unfortunate accident.”

Starkman said the tiles were placed over concrete areas to help dampen echoes during concerts.

“We’re not sure why they fell. We’re examining the site to determine the fault,” Starkman said.