Man Hospitalized After Jumping Over Wall During WVU Game
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (KDKA) -- A man was hospitalized after jumping over a wall at West Virginia University's Milan Puskar Stadium during Thursday night's football game.
Witnesses told police the 49-year-old man, identified as Robert McIntyre Jr. of Mineral Wells, W.Va., was sitting in section 134, which is the section behind the goal post and near the Family Fun Zone.
He went to the top of the section, scaled and intentionally jumped the wall and then fell a considerable distance, landing on the concrete below in the South Concourse Area.
Police said this sudden decision happened after he had gotten into a verbal fight with the people seated nearby, including a female companion, during the first half of the game.
According to an eyewitness, named Duane, who called the West Virginia Metro News Radio "Talkline" with host Hoppy Kercherval, it was a shock to everyone.
Duane told West Virginia Metro News, "She [the female companion] was obviously shaken up, she was crying. He, the man, then tried to touch her. She shoved his hand away, and we thought it all calmed down and we sat down to watch the game, and then we heard a gasp, 'Oh My God, he jumped.'"
West Virginia University Police Chief William Chedester also spoke to West Virginia Metro News about the investigation.
"Some sort of verbal and physical altercation with the fans in the area and his wife, and then he jumped off the wall," he said.
McIntyre was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital, where he was being treated in the ICU. He remains in critical condition.
West Virginia University Police continue to investigate.
