A Pittsburgh Penguins supporter is in critical condition after a fall at the PPG Paints Arena during a game. The incident occurred as the team scored their second goal, causing the fan to tumble over the railings from the upper concourse, landing 25 rows behind the Penguins’ bench. Witnesses initially thought the fall was a joke until they saw the fan miss steps and plummet.
The injured individual was swiftly taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the fall, with ten seats in Section 234 being cordoned off as part of the inquiry.
The NHL franchise confirmed the incident, stating that an adult male fell from the upper concourse to the lower bowl and was promptly attended to by emergency services and arena staff before being transported to a local medical facility. The Pittsburgh Penguins and OVG Management Group are closely monitoring the situation, expressing their support for the individual and their family.
During the game against the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby expressed his concern for the fallen fan, emphasizing that thoughts and prayers are with them. Coach Dan Muse also conveyed his prayers for the fan’s family, highlighting the somber reality of such incidents in the midst of sports events.
This unfortunate event adds to a series of similar incidents in Pittsburgh, including a previous fall at PNC Park involving a Pittsburgh Pirates fan and an incident at Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where a worker sustained leg injuries in a fall near the stadium’s scoreboard.