Braves, Falcons mum on new stadium safety after fan death
The death of a Braves fan who toppled from the upper decks at Turner Field on Saturday night has raised questions about safety at sporting events.
But although both the Braves and the Atlanta Falcons are each building pricey new stadiums — financed in part with taxpayer dollars — neither team will provide specifics to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on how they will protect spectators. Construction has begun at both facilities, set to open in 2017.
The Braves said they would ensure fan safety at their new $672 million Suntrust Park through "ongoing planning and training" and by "maintaining and updating" safety equipment. But the baseball team refused to address questions about how high the railings would be or whether netting would be erected to shield fans from fouls balls.
Three people have died at Turner Field, one ruled a suicide. Experts say that’s the most of any major league ballpark.
The Falcons also declined to comment on safety measures in the works for their new $1.4 billion Mercedes Benz Stadium.
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About the Author
Dan Klepal is editor of the local government team, supervising nine reporters covering county and municipal governments and metro Atlanta. Klepal came to the AJC in 2012, after a long career covering city halls in Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky. He has covered Gwinnett and Cobb counties before spending three years on the investigative team.
