In brief
A US Air Force sergeant fell to his death while descending from a stadium roof during a pre‑game ceremony in San Antonio. The incident took place at the 170‑foot high Alamodome as the University of Texas at San Antonio faced the Naval Academy. Officials said the football match went on as planned because the fatal outcome had not yet been confirmed. The tragedy spurred statements from the Air Force and the university, calling for a thorough review of safety protocols for extreme sport demonstrations at major venues.
A US Air Force sergeant fell to his death while abseiling from a stadium roof ahead of a college football match in San Antonio, Texas.
The fall occurred on the upper level of the Alamodome, a building that rises 170 feet and was hosting a game between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the Naval Academy.
The serviceman, who officials named Sgt Ian Patterson, was a tactical air control instructor with 15 years of experience and had earned a Special Warfare Instructor award in 2022.
Pre‑game events were underway when the harness failure resulted in a fatal descent onto the turf.
Officials reported that the football game proceeded as scheduled because the fatal outcome had not yet been confirmed, according to statements from the American Conference and the university.
Both the Air Force and the university released condolences, urging a thorough investigation into the abseiling protocol used during the event.
The tragedy raises concerns about safety measures at large sporting venues when extreme sport demonstrations are involved.
