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Man dies of blunt force trauma in Turner Field deck fall

ATLANTA — Police say a Conyers man who fell 85 feet from the 400 level of Turner Field died of blunt force trauma.

Investigators said Ronald Homer, 30, of Conyers fell Monday night from the upper deck at the ball park and landed on air conditioner units in the player's parking area outside the stadium.

"There is no indication that Ronald Homer had any injuries other than those sustained as a result of a descent from an 85-foot height and impacting the pavement below.The cause of death is blunt force trauma. The manner of death, however, is still under investigation," according to a statement from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police said Homer was taken to Atlanta Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

The medical examiner said toxicology testing and further investigation  are required to classify the manner of death.

Homicide investigators remained at the ball park after Monday's game, trying to figure out how the man fell.

A police spokesman said it appeared the fall was accidental and they do not suspect foul play.

The Braves released a statement confirming the incident and referred all questions to the Atlanta Police Department.

Channel 2's Tony Thomas spoke with Homer's father who called it "the worst day of my life."

The incident happened during a rain delay as the Atlanta Braves took on the Phillies Monday night.

It's not the first deadly fall at Turner Field. In 2008, a Cumming man fell from the upper deck onto seats behind home plate.

It's the third time a sports fan has fallen from the stands in Atlanta in about a year.

Isaac Grubb, 20, of Lenoir City, Tenn. died after falling over a railing at the Georgia Dome during a football game between Tennessee and North Carolina State on Aug. 31, 2012. Authorities said he landed on another man seated in the lower level, and that alcohol was a factor.

A man fell about 25 feet over a staircase railing at a Georgia Tech-Miami football game on Sept. 22, 2012 and was not seriously injured.

WSBTV

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