June 06--A fan who was struck in the head by a broken bat at Fenway Park was in serious condition Saturday at a Boston hospital, her family said in a statement.
The Red Sox, in a statement released Saturday, said, "All of us offer our prayers and our thoughts as we wish her a speedy recovery."
The incident happened in the second inning of Friday night's game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics, when Oakland batter Brett Lawrie's bat shattered and the barrel of the bat flew into the stands, striking Tonya Carpenter, said David Estrada, a spokesman for the Boston Police Department.
"Her injuries are life-threatening," Estrada said.
In its statement, Carpenter's family acknowledged well-wishers and said further updates on her condition were not expected to be made public Saturday.
"Tonya Carpenter was admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center last night following injury at Fenway Park. She is in serious condition," the statement read. "Tonya's family and loved ones are grateful to all who have reached out with thoughts and prayers but are requesting privacy at this time as Tonya recovers."
The game was stopped while medical personnel responded to the incident.
A fan at Fenway Park appears to have been badly hurt by a piece of broken bat.
-- Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 5, 2015
Lady struck in face by piece of broken bat. Bleeding heavily so being taken for medical attention thru field. Game in delay.
-- Gary Striewski (@garystriewski) June 5, 2015
A policeman was holding a young child and shielding his or her eyes. Fans in the area trying to help. Lots of blood. Awful scene.
-- Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 5, 2015
According to reports and video from the scene, the woman was badly bleeding from her head and had to be taken from the stadium on a stretcher.
That was absolutely awful to see. Lady was stretchered off field, by Red Sox dugout, shrieking in pain.
-- Gary Striewski (@garystriewski) June 5, 2015
Reports said people seated next to the woman were shaken up by the incident.
Sobering to watch ushers wiping blood from row where young woman was sitting
-- Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) June 6, 2015
"It's a scary moment," Red Sox Manager John Farrell said after the game, according to MLB.com.
"All you can think about is a family coming to a ballgame to hopefully get three hours of enjoyment, and unfortunately with how close our stands are to the field of action, an accident like this tonight is certainly disturbing. Our thoughts and concerns are with her and her family."
UPDATE
1:49 p.m., June 6: This story has been updated with a statement from the Red Sox.
10:31 a.m., June 6: This story has been updated with the identity of the injured fan and a statement on her condition from her family.
7:56 p.m.: This story has been updated with a comment from Red Sox Manager John Farrell.
This story was originally published at 6:54 p.m., June 5.
