Man dies after fall at Soldier Field

CHICAGO - A 23-year-old man died yesterday afternoon after he fell out of Soldier Field and landed on a rooftop on the west side of the stadium, officials said.

The incident happened about 4:55 p.m. during the Eagles-Bears game, according to Chicago Fire Department Chief Joe Roccasalva. No one else was injured.

Stewart Haverty was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The Cook County medical examiner's office did not know Haverty's home town.

Conflicting reports said Haverty fell anywhere from 20 to 50 feet, and landed on a small rooftop.

Witnesses told emergency personnel that they saw the man run up to a ledge and jump.

The incident is the second fatal fall in a week at a major sports arena. On Nov. 21 in Los Angeles, a 2-year-old died after plunging 50 feet from a Staples Center luxury suite.

The roof on which the man landed is about 15 feet high, and the fire department needed an aerial tower with a basket to get him down, Roccasalva said.

Belmont Area detectives said they are investigating the incident.