Climbing wall fatal at California gym

Police said James Miller, 38, died Saturday when he jumped off a climbing wall and struck his head.

The victim and three friends had been jumping off the wall onto a mat for about two hours when Miller apparently overshot the mat. His legs hit the mat but his head struck a concrete floor.

His friends told police that they had safely jumped off the wall five times before the accident.

The group had been drinking but it was uncertain whether the victim was intoxicated, police said.

Miller was unconscious and not breathing when paramedics arrived and they couldn't revive him.

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