Golden State Warriors fan hospitalized after fall following NBA Finals Game 7
OAKLAND, Calif. -- A Golden State Warriors fan who was thrown or fell from the upper deck during a brawl after Game 7 of the NBA Finals remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday, CBS San Francisco station KPIX-TV reports.
Southern California resident and father of two Salvador Bimbo underwent surgery on Wednesday for the injuries he suffered from his fall on Father's Day, according to his family. He had traveled from Los Angeles to see the Warriors play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena.
The victim's father, Ronnie Bimbo, gave him the money for the ticket.
"This is one game I tried for him not to leave to stay with me for Father's Day in Los Angeles," Ronnie Bimbo told KPIX-TV. "And he came to me, and he said, 'Dad, you know this is my dream. I want to see them win.' I gave him money, and I told him, 'Go.'"
Salvador Bimbo got his dream ticket and took his 12-year-old brother to the game.
Ronnie Bimbo told KPIX-TV his son posted a photo of his ticket outside Oracle Arena on Instagram. He later posted video just as the game was getting started. The seats were in Section 220 of the arena's upper level.
The family told KPIX-TV a fight broke out between Warriors fans and Cavs fans just as the game ended with a Cleveland victory.
Salvador Bimbo, who his father described as mild-mannered, was caught in the middle of the melee.
Ronnie Bimbo said his son was thrown by a Cavs fan from the second-level deck over the railing 50 feet down.
He found out about his son's injuries with a phone call from the hospital. Salvador Bimbo suffered a fractured skull and three broken ribs.
"He was very, very critical, and I was just scared of the next word they was going to tell me," Ronnie Bimbo said. "He still has a long road ahead of him."
The father and other family members have been by Salvador Bimbo's side since coming up to the San Francisco Bay Area. Ronnie Bimbo asked anyone who might help with the police investigation into the incident to come forward.
"If somebody out there has a video of this person, of what happened, if they can call Oakland PD," he said. "And for us to put a stop to something like this to happen in the future at a 49er game, at a Warrior game, at a stadium, there should be more concern for the people's safety."
Oakland police are continuing to investigate the incident and are viewing surveillance video taken inside Oracle Arena during the game.
Investigators also have the victim's phone and are looking at photos and video he took during the game.