2-Year-Old Girl Falls From Upper Deck at AAC in Dallas TX

DALLAS, TX (7/30/2014) — A two-year-old child has been hospitalized after falling from the 200 level of the American Airlines Center (AAC) during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus performance last night.

According to AAC general manager Dave Brown, the toddler girl fell as she and her family were leaving their seats in the front row of the 200 level, just before intermission of the circus. The fall apparently interrupted the circus show. Witnesses have reportedly said that the girl's father was holding the child when they got up from their seats, and it appeared as though the man tripped or lost control of the child. The toddler landed on the Plaza-level seats below.
The child was treated by a Dallas Fire-Rescue crew and taken to Children's Medical Center of Dallas. The child is listed in critical condition but is doing well, according to the family. Some witnesses reported that the child could be heard crying as paramedics rushed to her side.
The family released a statement through the hospital on Thursday. "We want everyone to know our child is doing well and on the mend, although still being cared for in the ICU. We appreciate the actions of the first responders, both Good Samaritans and professionals, who came to our family's aide. We also thank all those who are concerned and have reached out by thought and prayer.”
Mr. Dave Brown released a statement saying that their thoughts and prayers were with the girl and her family. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus says that today's 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows will go on as scheduled. The circus will continue to perform at the AAC until August 10th.
Falls from the upper level of stadiums and arenas across the country have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths in recent years. My question is why aren't there other protections against this? I understand that these accidents are not common, but when you can protect against this possibility by simply installing some low-cost netting below the upper deck, you need to be proactive and do it! These accidents aren't minor - they often take a life. The following are just a FEW of the many recent stadium falls in the news.

• Texas Rangers call fan's 30-foot fall an unfortunate accident
• Fan falls to his death at San Francisco's Candlestick Park
• Toddler Dies At Staples Center: Boy Falls 50 Feet From Luxury Suite After Lakers Game
• Texas man Shannon Stone falls to death at Rangers Ballpark, reaching for ball from Josh Hamilton
• NFL Fan Survives Upper-Deck Stadium Fall
• Fan in Critical Condition After Falling from Upper Deck at Olympic Stadium
• Man dies after 65-foot fall at Turner Field during Braves-Phillies game