Keith Carmickle

Last week, an American firefighter, Shannon Stone, attempted a crowd baseball catch, lost his footing and fell 6m. He later died from his injuries. On the very same day of his funeral another fan fell at a game in exactly the same way. But this story had a better ending as he was caught by fellow spectators just in time, and survived.

Keith Carmickle had climbed on to a narrow table near a railing in the spectator stands of Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, at Major League Baseball’s All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night, as a ball was struck by one of the players. Carmickle leaned forward to reach for the ball, lost his balance and started to fall towards a pool deck six metres below. But his brother, friends and a handful of fans reacted quickly, grabbing his legs as he tipped over. He was very lucky.

But that’s not the point. I’m struggling to see how something like this is even possible.

Shannon Stone’s death was huge news in America for almost a week!  This latest incident happened after almost seven days of seeing images and videos of Stone falling while his young son looks on. You’d think that would be enough to discourage any fans from attempting similar activities for the foreseeable future. Clearly not.

[Thanks Len and SMH]