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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

World Cup 2022 security guard dies following fall at Lusail Stadium during match

A Kenyan security guard who fell at Lusail Stadium in the earlier hours of Saturday morning has died in hospital.

John Njau Kibue has passed away after the migrant worker fell at the stadium while on duty at the World Cup. Njau Kibue's employer had notified his family of his tragic death on Tuesday.

The precise details of how he fell are unclear but the incident came after Argentina secured their passage into the semi-finals with a penalty shootout win over the Netherlands. Njau Kibue was taken to the nearby Hamad Medical Hospital in an ambulance and was said to be in a "stable but critical condition" at the time. However, the 24-year-old sadly passed away three days' later.

A statement from the Qatar Supreme Committee read: "On Saturday 10 December, John Njau Kibue, a security guard at Lusail Stadium, suffered a serious fall while on duty.

"Stadium medical teams immediately attended the scene and provided emergency treatment before he was transferred to Hamad Medical Hospital’s intensive care unit via ambulance. We regret to announce that, despite the efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away in hospital on Tuesday 13 December, after being in the intensive care unit for three days. His next of kin have been informed.

"We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time. Qatar’s tournament organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation. We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed."

CNN reported that a medical certificate they obtained showed he was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital in Doha. The document said Kibue had a "severe head injury, facial fractures and pelvic fractures."

However, Njau Kibue's sister, Ann Wanjiru, told CNN: "We don’t have the money to get justice for him, but we want to know what happened."

The Lusail Stadium (Getty Images)

The fall came a matter of hours after Grant Wahl had collapsed, and later died during Argentina's win over the Netherlands. US media seated near him said Mr Wahl fell back in his seat in the media tribune during extra-time and reporters adjacent to him called for assistance.

Emergency services responded very quickly but it was later confirmed that the journalist had died.

Wahl was covering his eighth World Cup and wrote on Monday that he had visited a hospital while in Qatar as he was feeling unwell.

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