19.10.2026 22:21
Air Force Sergeant Ian Patterson died after falling to midfield while rappelling from the ceiling before a college football game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, USA. The game was played as scheduled.
During a ceremony held before a college football game in the US state of Texas, a US Air Force service member who was descending from the stadium roof on a rope fell onto the middle of the field and died. According to BBC News, the incident occurred on Saturday at the 52-meter-high Alamodome stadium in the city of San Antonio.
Footage shows the service member falling feet-first toward the center point of the field. The accident occurred during the ceremony held before the game between the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Naval Academy teams.
According to the military's statement, the service member who died was Technical Sergeant Ian Patterson, who served as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor at Joint Base San Antonio. Patterson died at the hospital where he was taken. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
The game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Navy Midshipmen, however, was played as planned despite the accident. The American Conference, a college athletics association, announced that the decision to continue the game was made before the service member's death was confirmed and extended its condolences to Patterson's family, friends, and members of the 57th Wing.
Brigadier General Scott Mills of the US Air Force said in a statement released by Nellis Air Force Base, "This tragedy is deeply felt in the 57th Wing. Technical Sergeant Patterson and his service meant a great deal to our wing."
Patterson, who was from Fort Stewart in the state of Georgia, had served in the US military for 15 years. Patterson, who held numerous military decorations, was named the Special Warfare Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year at the Air Force Headquarters level in 2022.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy also said he offered his deepest condolences to the service member's family, his comrades in arms, and everyone affected by this heart-wrenching tragedy.
Source: BBC