Doctor Attending Braves Game Tried to Help Fan After Fall

ByEMILY SHAPIRO ABCNews logo
Monday, August 31, 2015

A doctor was with his two sons at Turner Field Saturday, watching the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees game, when out of the corner of his eye he saw something fall and heard an impact.

Braves fan Gregory Murrey, 60, of Alpharetta, Georgia, had fallen from the upper deck into the lower-level stands.

Dr. Joseph Ricotta, who was sitting one section away, said he saw a man unresponsive on the concrete steps of stadium.

"I think that like everybody else you're in a state of shock and disbelief," Ricotta, a vascular surgeon, told ABC News.

Ricotta said the adrenaline and his instincts kicked in and he rushed in the direction of the accident, where he tried to treat the man until paramedics arrived.

Medical personnel treated him for about 10 minutes and applied CPR as the game continued.

Police said Murrey was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital. Police don't suspect foul play.

"It's one of those things that you hope you never see or experience," Ricotta said. "And I certainly hope I never see or experience it again."

Ricotta also commended the paramedics' actions and said his thoughts are with the man's family.

"The Atlanta Braves are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Murrey at last night's game," the Braves said in a statement. "Greg was a valued and longtime season ticket holder and an incredibly passionate Braves fan. This tragic loss is felt throughout Braves Country, and the thoughts and prayers of the entire Braves organization continue to go out to his family and friends."

This was the third death from a fall at Turner Field in eight seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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