Fan Dies in Shea Stadium Tragedy

Sad news out of Shea Stadium last night, where a fan died as a result of losing his balance on an escalator (which wasn't moving for whatever reason) and falling to his death while his family witnessed the entire horrific scene.

Antonio Nararainsami, 36, and several relatives, including his two young daughters, were leaving the stadium at the end of Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals when he fell in a section below the left field stands and landed on a concrete floor. Nararainsami, a Guyanese native who lived in Brooklyn, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead half an hour later.

Kevin Prashad, a cousin who attended the game, said Nararainsami was walking down the escalator, which wasn't moving, and was holding the hand rail when he "lost his footing."

Speaking as somebody who's been to Shea Stadium numerous times, I can tell you that there's plenty of times when an escalator or elevator isn't working here or there in the stadium. Saying that, there's no way to know if anybody is at fault in this instance, so there's no point in even speculating. As of now, this is simply a tragic, tragic event which is even more heartbreaking because his family was witness to it. Our prayers go out to them.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-16-2008 @ 2:38PM

Rick said...

They always turn the escalators off at the end of Mets games. (The Rangers do too, at MSG). I've read a few times that this guy was trying to slide down the escalator on the rubber hand rail, and that's how he lost his balance. I hope that's not true, because that's just stupid. My prayers are with his family though.......

4-16-2008 @ 9:11PM

Natalie Coopwood said...

This is truly devastating. I can't begin to imagine the pain this family is going through with a night of family fun turning into a tradegy. My heart and prayers go out to the family and all those who witnessed this. May God keep Them and comfort Them in their times of need.