A 51-year-old man has died after jumping off a ledge at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, according to the University of Florida Police Department.
A release from the UFPD – which was received by The Daily Mail – revealed that officers responded to the area at 9:47am on August 31 following reports that an individual was stood on a support beam inside the west concourse.
The release claimed that UPD officers encouraged the man to walk toward them, however, he instead stepped off the ledge and suffered fatal injuries.
Officers ‘immediately attempted life-saving measures’. Despite their best efforts, he was officially pronounced dead at 10:05am by Alachua County Fire Rescue.
The statement continued: ‘UFPD is withholding the name of the 51-year-old man pending notification of next of kin. Investigators have confirmed he is not affiliated with the university. The investigation into this isolated incident is ongoing.’
Further reports claim that the officials believe the man was homeless and that no members of the public were at the stadium at the time of his death.
A 51-year-old man has reportedly died after jumping off a ledge at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
The tragic news comes ahead of the Florida Gators kickstarting their season on Saturday
The tragic news comes ahead of the Florida Gators kickstarting their season on Saturday, September 5 against Florida Atlantic at the 88,548-seater stadium.
Gators head coach Jon Sumrall will lead the team out of the tunnel for the first time on the day, after agreeing a six-year deal with the Gators back in November.
Speaking ahead of his first game in charge, Sumrall recently said: ‘I’ll be amped. But the day’s not about me. Never will be.
‘Our guys are getting coached every play, every day, Sunday through Friday. I mean this, Saturday I want to be about the players.
‘And yeah, I’ll get critiqued when things don’t go well, I’m fine there, and get credit when they go good, whatever. But Saturday, the game day, at that point, you’ve coached them.
‘(If) they don’t rise to the occasion, I think they fall to the level of their training.’
As it stands, Florida football enters its season opener fairly healthy. Tight end Evan Chieca (lower body) is questionable while running back Kelvin Jimenez is out for the season. Freshman defensive tackle Kendall Guervil (knee) is back practicing.
