Chargers Staff Member Dies After Fall

Posted Oct 20, 2009 1:52PM By Chris Burke (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Chargers

Walt Daniels, a 66-year-old member of the San Diego Chargers staff, died Tuesday from injuries sustained when he fell out of a Qualcomm Stadium booth prior to Monday night's Denver-San Diego game.

""The San Diego Chargers' family is greatly saddened by the loss of Walt Daniels," the team said in a statement. "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."

Approximately three hours prior to kickoff of the game between San Diego and Denver on Monday, Daniels appeared to to sustain a head injury after falling about 25 to 30 feet out of a booth that was to be used by Broncos assistant coaches, and landing on the loge level. He was administered CPR before being taken to the hospital.

The stadium gates were closed -- including to the media -- for nearly an hour as workers cleaned up blood from the area where Daniels landed.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said that Daniels died at 2:30 AM at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-20-2009 @ 6:14PM

robsphase said...

I was wondering why the stadium was still almost empty within an hour or so af the game starting. On TV is looked pretty strange. Was he pushed? How could it have been so easy to fall out of the booth? If it was that easy I'm sure there will be changes made. Did this have anything to do with the 'fight' prior to the game? Maybe the Chargers will win the rest of the games this season in his honor.

10-21-2009 @ 11:03AM

mattl1 said...

Or maybe, regardless of this very sad and tragic event, the Chargers will continue to suck and not play up to their potential. Yeah, that's probably more likely.

10-21-2009 @ 6:21AM

wa said...

".... workers cleaned up blood from the area where Daniels landed." Was this information worthy of printing?? Gosh people (news writers and those who allow them to print such statements)! Have some respect!

10-21-2009 @ 7:53AM

mbonhamwolv said...

Although I am a fan of an NFC team on the east coast, I send my condolences to the family,team, and fans of the Chargers organization for the loss of Mr. Daniels in this horrible accident at the stadium...R.I.P. Mr. Daniels

10-21-2009 @ 8:37AM

ryan said...

omfg sue the stadium if it was that easy. and 66?

10-21-2009 @ 10:55AM

bmmg39 said...

My condolences to both Daniels's family and the Chargers family.

10-21-2009 @ 11:33AM

bondgayle007 said...

.."The stadium gates were closed-including to the media-for nearly and hour, as workers cleaned up the blood where Daniels landed".
This is too much information and very disrespectful to the family.

10-21-2009 @ 12:56PM

greenwayrepair said...

I think a sensitivity class is in order for the writer who too vividly described the accident area. Some may be excited by the description, but for me it was entirely tasteless.