Baseball Fan Falls To Death During Game

A man has died after falling from the upper deck during a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees.

Lieutenant Charles Hampton, of the Atlanta Police Department, said the man - in his early 60s - fell into the lower-level stands during the seventh innings of the game on Saturday night.

The victim was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital. His identity has not yet been released.

Medical personnel rushed into the stands to treat the man, but the game was not delayed.

Lt Hampton said no foul play was suspected in the death and no other fans were hurt. The man fell into an area close to where the players' wives and families sit.

It is the third death from a fall at Atlanta's Turner Field in eight seasons.

In August 2013, Ronald Lee Homer Jr's death was ruled a suicide and in 2008, police cited alcohol as a factor after Justin Hayes, 25, died after falling down a stairwell at the stadium.

Earlier this month, nine-year-old Kaiser Carlile - a bat boy for the Liberal Bee Jays in Kansas, died in hospital after he was accidentally hit on the head with a baseball bat during a player's follow-through swing.

Didi Gregorius, Yankees shortstop, said: "I was thinking about it the whole time. All I can say is my condolences to the family.

"It was right in front of the camera in the press box. He hit the wires."

In a statement, the Atlanta Braves said: "The Atlanta Braves offer their deepest condolences to the family."

Major League Baseball (MLB) has said this season it is investigating the issue of fan safety after several people were injured by foul balls and flying bats.

Some players have called for more protective netting around the field.