Fan falls from Busch Stadium upper deck

ST. LOUIS -- A 34-year-old Illinois man fell headfirst from the upper deck at Busch Stadium on to the concourse below before the St. Louis Cardinals played the Minnesota Twins.

Chris Hoffman of O'Fallon, Ill., was taken to a hospital for observation. Joe Walsh, director of stadium operations, said Hoffman was being treated for an injury to his left shoulder, a gash to his face and assorted bumps and bruises.

Witnesses said it appeared the man fainted in the 92-degree heat, although the team said it was unclear whether the fall was related to the weather. Walsh said the fan fell on to an empty seat after grazing a nearby female fan.

The fan apparently toppled over a front-row railing and fell about one story to the concourse while a youth choir was singing "God Bless America."