A US Air Force airman died after falling around 170 feet from the ceiling of a stadium during a fast-rope demonstration ahead of a college football game in Texas on Saturday.
The airman, identified as Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, was participating in a pregame demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio before the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners faced the Navy Midshipmen, The New York Post reported.
Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, lost control while descending a rope during the demonstration, according to reports. He was one of four military personnel scheduled to rappel from the stadium's rafters to the field as part of UTSA's annual “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” event.
Emergency crews rushed to Patterson's aid and provided medical assistance on the field for around 10 minutes before he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
According to CBS News, Patterson had served in the Air Force for 15 years and was originally from Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022.
Crowd falls silent as demonstration turns fatal
The incident took place around 15 minutes before kickoff and brought activity on the field to a halt. According to the San Antonio Express-News, UTSA staff members formed a semicircle around Patterson before he was moved on a stretcher.
Adrian Corey, a witness, told KSAT that the crowd fell silent and the stadium band stopped performing after the fall.
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor described the incident as heartbreaking, saying it had a noticeable impact on the more than 23,000 fans present at the stadium.
“You could tell the energy was just gone,” Traylor said. “It just really puts things in perspective. It really does.”
The incident delayed the start of the game by around 10 minutes. The match went ahead, with UTSA defeating Navy 38-34.
Air Force, UTSA express condolences
The US Air Force expressed grief over Patterson's death, with Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, commander of the 57th Wing, saying the loss was deeply felt across the unit.
“Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him,” Mills said.
He added that the unit was focused on supporting Patterson's family, loved ones and fellow airmen. Mills also thanked the San Antonio community and mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for their support.
UTSA also expressed condolences to Patterson's family and military colleagues. The university said counselling and other support services were available to students, faculty and staff affected by the incident.
The American Conference said representatives of both participating universities, Alamodome management, local authorities and other officials met with Commissioner Tim Pernetti during the game to review the available information and discuss next steps.
“In accordance with conference bylaws and with the support of both participating member institutions, the conference made the decision to continue the game,” it said.
The circumstances surrounding Patterson's death remain under investigation.