CCTV footage shows a 32-year-old man vaulting a court fence at a Kuala Lumpur pickleball facility on Dec. 2 to retrieve a ball; he landed on mesh covering an open gap, which tore and caused a three-story fall. Other players found him on the lower floor and he was later pronounced dead. Wangsa Maju district police have classified the incident as a sudden death while authorities continue their investigation. Playa Racquet Club expressed condolences and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy.
32-Year-Old Dies After Three-Story Fall at Kuala Lumpur Pickleball Centre — CCTV Shows Attempt to Retrieve Ball
A Malaysia pickleball player died after climbing a court rail and falling three stories when mesh netting failed, prompting a police investigation and public warnings.
A 32-year-old man died after falling three stories at a Kuala Lumpur pickleball facility on Dec. 2, CCTV footage shows. The incident occurred at the TREC sports complex operated by Playa Racquet Club, according to local authorities and media outlets.
The video obtained by Newsflare appears to show the player vaulting a court fence to retrieve a ball and landing on mesh covering an open gap. The mesh tore under his weight and he fell to the floor below. Other players quickly gathered at the railing and descended to the lower floor, where they found the man unresponsive; he was later pronounced dead, Newsflare reported.
A Malaysia pickleball player died after climbing a court rail and falling three stories when mesh netting failed, prompting a police investigation and public warnings.
“The deceased was playing pickleball on the third floor and he had climbed over the court’s fence to retrieve a ball and fell to the lower floor,” Wangsa Maju district police chief Mohamad Lazim Ismail said in a statement provided to Newsflare. “The case has been classified as sudden death.”
Officials at Playa Racquet Club expressed condolences to the victim’s family and asked the public for privacy while authorities investigate. In an official statement the club said it was deeply saddened by the loss and urged people to refrain from speculation as the appropriate authorities carry out inquiries.
The footage and official comments indicate the fall was accidental and occurred while the player attempted to retrieve a ball from outside the playing area. Local police have classified the matter as a sudden death pending the outcome of their inquiries.
Pickleball blends tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and has an appeal that spans generations.
What Is Pickleball? Pickleball is a racket sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, when the founders improvised with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball on an abandoned badminton court.
Newsflare provided the CCTV to media outlets, and international outlets, including Fox News, reported on the incident with contributions from staff. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall.
