A member of a U.S. Air Force rappel team died after falling from the rafters in the Alamodome during a pregame military demonstration before the UTSA game against Navy.
The accident occurred during "Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans" event on Saturday, Oct. 17, before the football game between the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners against the Navy Midshipmen.
The service member died at a hospital after the fall that occurred in a skills demonstration, the San Antonio Express-News reported on Sunday, Oct. 18. The service member's identity has not been released.
The rappel team was from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, an Air Force unit based at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, USA Today reported.
The crowd gasps
as the service member appears to lose control and falls, sliding down a rope without slowing down before crashing onto the football field, according to disturbing videos posted on social media of the UTSA accident.
The game was momentarily delayed as medical aid was provided and the injured service member was placed on a stretcher and taken away in a cart.
'It really puts things into perspective'
"You could just tell the energy was just gone. I’ve never had to deal with anything like that before. It really puts things into perspective," UTSA football coach Jeff Taylor said a news conferencefollowing the game before it was known that the service member died. UTSA defeated Navy 38-34.
UTSA and the American Conference issued statements that they were "deeply saddened" about the tragedy and expressed support for those impacted.
"We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues," UTSAsaid in a statement on Saturday, adding that counseling services were available to students.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Air Force demonstration before UTSA game turns tragic at Alamodome
