San Diego game-day staff volunteer Walt Daniels died early Tuesday morning of injuries suffered at Qualcomm Stadium Monday afternoon, just three hours before the NFL contest between the San Diego Charges and the Denver Broncos.
Daniels was in the process of stringing some telephone cable on the press level when he fell out of Booth 35C at 2:34 p.m. He fell approximately 25 feet and ended up striking his head on the concrete in the Club Level, between the second and third rows.
Witnesses report that the 66-year-old man pitched backward from the wide open booth window. Security personnel immediately performed CPR and revived the man, who was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. He died twelve hours later, at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The opening of the stadium gates was delayed until 3:40 p.m., some 40 minutes later than normal for the 5:40 p.m. start. The Broncos ended the evening by advanced to 6-0 with a 34-23 victory against their division rivals the San Diego Chargers.
The following statement was released: “The San Diego Chargers family is greatly saddened by the loss of Walt Daniels. Walt loved the team and loved working in the press box on game days for more than 20 years. Our prayers are with his family and friends during this most difficult time.”
Walt Daniels is survived by his wife Marilyn.
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