Man falls from balcony in Dundee

An Angus man was continuing his recovery at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital today after suffering life-threatening injuries in a balcony plunge at the Caird Hall.

Police are continuing to investigate what happened and the Tele understands that officials from Dundee City Council, who own and operate the hall, were today discussing their response to the incident.
Leigh Reeve, a former Carnoustie High School pupil, was hurt at the Prodigy gig on Friday night after falling 20 feet from the upper balcony on to the dance floor below.

Despite the trauma caused by the fall, which included a brain bleed, partially collapsed lung and suspected fractures to his spine and pelvis, shocked members of the audience were forced to carry Leigh out of the arena because of concerns he may be trampled by revellers continuing to dance around him.

First aid staff from the hall then tended to the 23-year-old before paramedics arrived at the scene and took him to hospital.

Leigh’s dad Garry told last night how his son had been making remarkable progress since his accident.

He was initially placed on a ventilator in the hospital’s intensive care unit, but has since started breathing for himself again and has improved enough to be moved to a high dependency bed instead.

Mr Reeve said his son was still receiving painkilling injections to manage his discomfort and was mostly using hand gestures to communicate because his throat was also sore. Mr Reeve said, “He’s now out of ICU and into a high dependency ward which is remarkable. From thinking the worst, he has just been getting progressively better and better.”

He also said he had set aside concerns about Leigh’s initial treatment at the hall — including the fact he was moved without a medical assessment being carried out — until his son was better.

A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said, “Caird Hall staff are co-operating with the police and the city council is awaiting the outcome of the investigation before commenting further.”

Anyone who saw Leigh fall from the balcony, or has information regarding the incident, is asked to contact Tayside Police.

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