Fallen Ajax Fan Still Critical
A man who fell nearly five meters from the Amsterdam ArenA stands onto a concrete path on Tuesday is still in critical condition. The fan, a 46-year-old father, was sitting in the front row of the F-Side when he collapsed to the ground during the 39th minute of the Ajax-Barcelona Champions League match.
The man's family said he had a restful night, but he is still in intensive care with serious head injuries, according to a statement on the Ajax team website. Photos circulating on Twitter showed the man facedown in a pool of blood in the moments after the incident.
First responders attempt to help a fan who fell from the stands during the 26 Nov. 2013 Ajax v. Barcelona match (Mitch van Helvert/Twitter)
His face appeared to be seriously wounded when paramedics tended to him, before transporting him by ambulance to an area hospital.
The statement says the family is very emotional, and requests their privacy be respected.
"The man is married and the father of a son," the statement said. "He is a football enthusiast; a true Ajax member who watched every game, often in the stadium."
Ajax has invited anyone traumatized by the event to the Ajax Supportershome on the west side of the ArenA from 19:00 tonight to talk about the incident. Counseling staff, medical personnel, and both Ajax and ArenA employees will be in attendance.
The fall is still under investigation, but an ArenA representative says the initial thought is that it was accidental.
