Racegoer, 21, dies in fall at Knavesmire main stand

The death of the 21-year-old man from Bradford is thought to be the first fatality in an accident at the course in the modern era, and happened at the end of the meeting on Saturday.

An investigation has been launched by North Yorkshire Police, although officers confirmed they do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances and are treating the death as a “tragic accident”.

The Yorkshire Post understands the man died after he fell in a stairwell in the Knavesmire stand at about 5.30pm, as racegoers were preparing to leave the course.

A spokesman for York Racecourse stressed that officials will “co-operate fully” with the police investigation.

He added: “The thoughts and sympathy of everyone at the racecourse are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time. However, it would be inappropriate to comment further as the police investigation is ongoing.”

While safety is under constant analysis at the venue, it is understood that there are no plans at the moment to launch a specific review of the man’s death.

A report will, however, be prepared for licensing officers at York Council, which is responsible for granting the racecourse’s licence, as a matter of course.

An estimated 25,000 visitors had descended on York Racecourse for the Bank Holiday weekend meeting, which featured the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup.

The Knavesmire grandstand cost £10m and opened in 1997. Plans for a £5m re-development of the racecourse were unveiled at the end of last year aimed at ensuring the biggest names in racing continue to be attracted to York.

The city’s long racing heritage stretches back almost 300 years when the first events were staged on Knavesmire in 1731.

The racecourse has become an integral facet in York’s tourism sector, and research published in 2008 revealed the venue generated £44m in 2007 and supported 1,350 full-time jobs.

Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, appealed for anyone who was in the Knavesmire stand at the time of the man’s death to contact officers.

Anyone with information about the fatality can call North 
Yorkshire Police on the non-emergency number of 101.