Buffalo Bills fan seen in video fall loses

A fan has lost his advertising and PR job after being seen falling from the top deck of the Buffalo Bills' New York NFL stadium and landing on another man.

An unruly NFL fan, seen falling from the top deck of the Buffalo Bills' New York stadium and landing on another fan in the stands below, has lost his job in advertising and public relations.

Buffalo-based Eric Mower and Associates issued a statement on Tuesday saying Rob Hopkins was no longer employed by them.

The Bills banned Hopkins from Ralph Wilson Stadium a day earlier. Erie County sheriff's officials say he could face charges.

Hopkins was seen on video sliding in a seated position down a 300-level railing during Sunday's Bills game against the New York Jets and then toppling backwards and falling about 10 metres onto the unfortunate spectator in seating below.

Both men were taken to a hospital and later released.

Bills president and chief executive Russ Brandon on Monday described Hopkins' behaviour as irresponsible and in violation of the fan code of conduct.

"This individual will not be permitted back into Ralph Wilson Stadium."

Jeff Savidge, who witnessed the fall, said play had stopped for a television timeout when the a man suddenly landed across the neck and shoulders of a spectator.

"He kind of bounced off him and landed about two rows down on the ground. I heard somebody scream from behind us."

In September 2012, a 20-year-old fan from Tennessee died when he tumbled over a railing at the Georgia Dome and struck a man below during a college game.

Since 2003, more than two dozen cases of fans falling at stadiums have been reported across the United States, according to the Institute for the Study of Sports Incidents.


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Source: AAP


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