Concerns Raised Over Response Time In Death Of Michael Kahler, Fan Who Fell At Ravens Game
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The family of a Ravens fan who died at the Titans game Saturday are concerned about the time it took for stadium personnel to respond after Michael Kahler fell on his way back to his seat.
At the beginning of the third quarter of Saturday's playoff game, fans in section 543 and 544 of M&T Bank Stadium watched in horror as Kahler tripped and fell walking up the stairs. Kahler hit his head on the concrete and ultimately died.
Fan Falls, Dies During Ravens-Titans Game At M&T Bank Stadium
"He hit his head on the concrete and he was knocked out," Amy Webber-Aquino wrote on WJZ's Facebook page.
She said the crowd noise made it difficult to get the ushers' attention.
"I have never witnessed anything like this and felt helpless that more wasn't done to help this man," Webber-Aquino wrote.
Another witness posted on WJZ's Facebook page, "No emergency help for too long. I prayed, and my boys helped block people from going up the stairs while he was brought down. It seemed like an eternity...."
Kahler's brother Billy Day posted that he wanted to thank, "the brave nurse who jumped to my brother's side and helped me calm down. She's truly a hero."
A cousin, Kyle Brown, wrote, "... What our family cannot understand is how in the hell are you a state of the art stadium and don't have an evacuation plan or multiple first aid stations... We just want answers...."
Police said they did not handle the case; neither did the city fire department.
The stadium authority referred WJZ to the Ravens for answers.
"Our prayers and sympathies go out to Michael Kahler's family and friends," the Ravens said in a statement.
"Our security video shows Mr. Kahler's stumble on the steps leading to his seat. In less than two minutes, a SAFE Management Team member reported the incident. Within three minutes from the stumble, two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrived at the scene and began assessment and treatment," the Ravens continued. "Within eight minutes of the stumble, an emergency doctor arrived. Within 14 minutes of the stumble, Mr. Kahler received additional emergency treatment in a nearby First Aid Room, and 15 minutes later, Mr. Kahler was transported in an ambulance to Maryland Shock Trauma."
According to his obituary, Kahler recently became a certified personal trainer. He was a manager at Giant Foods and an avid Baltimore sports fan.
"A part of me will be forever broken," Kahler's girlfriend Amanda Guardia wrote on Facebook. "Each night when we said, 'I love you forever' we didn't know our forever would be cut so short."
A funeral will be held this weekend for Kahler.
