Stagehand killed in fall at Borgata

ATLANTIC CITY - A stagehand died this week after falling while working on a concert venue at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

Tony Haines, 61, of Atlantic City, died Sunday after falling off the top-level bleacher section of the Event Center at Borgata.

Sources say he was tearing up a set with elevated seating for the headliner act the night before, the comedian Jerry Seinfeld, when he fell about 12 feet to the ground. The show was sold out, so bleacher seating was needed. It remained unclear why Haines lost his balance.

He was not a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 917, the union that represents stagehands, according to a member.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event," said Tom Ballance, president and chief operating officer of Borgata, in a statement Thursday. "At this time, our focus is on the family of our long-term and valued team member, and our thoughts and prayers are with them." Ballance said the Borgata had no further comment at this time.

The Event Center seats up to 3,700, and has 30,000 square feet of space and a 30-foot ceiling.

Fatalities in the casino entertainment industry here have been rare.

A viewing will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, with services and a gathering of family and friends to follow, at the All Wars Memorial Building, 1510 Adriatic Ave.