US Air Force Member Falls and Dies While Rappelling in Pregame Show

An Air Force member fell to the ground while rappelling during a military demonstration before an American football game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, October 17. He died at the hospital he was taken to.

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How it happened

The game between the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Naval Academy was played as part of the Armed Forces and Veterans Day. Before the game, four service members performed a rappelling demonstration. One of those descending from the stadium roof, about 52 meters high, lost control of the rope and slammed into the floor.

Medical teams treated him on the field for about 10 minutes. UTSA staff formed a semicircle around him, and he was then taken off the field on a stretcher. Screams were heard from the stands. Eyewitness Adrian Corey said everyone fell silent and the band stopped playing. The game was delayed by about 10 minutes.

Statements

The Nellis Air Force Base public affairs office said the airman served in Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron and died despite all efforts at the hospital. The detachment trains air combat controllers, including in techniques used to descend from helicopters.

A university spokesperson said they were deeply saddened by the incident, that members of the campus community may be emotionally affected, and that they were activating support services. The American Conference, which organizes the game, said it was coordinating with local authorities.