Railing Collapse at UFC 289 in Rogers Arena
The Incident and its Implications
On June 10th, 2023, some fans fell from the stands as they were attempting to greet Mike Malott, who was walking into the Rogers Arena for his UFC 289 main card fight with Adam Fugitt. Footage shows that the fans fell off the stands after a railing next to the arena entrance collapsed. Several UFC fans captured the accident on Twitter and shared it with the world, which sparked concerns and reactions. However, UFC commentator Jon Anik later confirmed that no one was injured during the incident and the fight proceeded without any further issue.
This incident is not only alarming but raises several questions related to the safety measures undertaken by the UFC and Rogers Arena. Such incidents are not only dangerous for the attendees but also put the reputation and credibility of the event and the organizers at stake. It is unfortunate that such incidents occur despite having well-placed safety measures.
Safety Measures
The Rogers Arena released a statement on the incident, stating that their staff worked quickly to relocate fans in the affected area, and the safety of the fans is their top priority. Still, the question remains about the adequacy of the safety measures that were in place. The incident happened as fans leaned over to greet the fighters, and a railing fell down. This could have been averted by the installation of stronger and secure rails.
A similar incident had happened in 2011 when UFC fans rioted in the city after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. The organizers must learn from past incidents and ensure that adequate safety measures are in place. Attendee safety should be the highest priority, and thus, it is necessary to assess and review the safety measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Editorial and Advice
Such incidents call for more robust safety measures and regulations to be put in place. Along with the UFC and the venue, it is crucial that the government too steps up to ensure that proper safety regulations are put in place. It is essential to monitor the safety regulations, assess the risks of such events, and ensure that the regulations are not compromised for revenue.
As individuals attending such events, we must also take responsibility and not compromise on our safety. We must be vigilant and be aware of our surroundings. If we see any potential hazards, we must report them immediately to the officials responsible for the event’s security.
In such incidents, it is only human nature to panic and create chaos. Instead, we must keep calm and take necessary measures to ensure our safety. We never know when a small mistake can have drastic consequences, be it for us or others around us. Thus, as responsible citizens, we must keep safety as our top priority when attending such events.
Keywords: Railing Collapse, Safety Measures, UFC 289, Rogers Arena
<< photo by Caio Mantovani >>
