Airman Dies After Rappelling Fall at Alamodome Before UTSA-Navy Game
An Air Force service member has died after falling while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio during a pregame ceremony before Saturday's UTSA-Navy football game.
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada confirmed Sunday that the airman died at a local hospital from injuries suffered in the fall, Texas Public Radio reported. The Air Force has not released the service member's name, and the incident remains under investigation.
What Happened
The fall happened during UTSA's annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game. Four service members were set to rappel from the stadium's rafters to the field about 15 minutes before kickoff, according to ABC13. A game commentator said the group was rappelling down to present the colors.
One of the four appeared to lose control while descending and slid down the rope "in an uncontrolled manner" before crashing to the turf, the San Antonio Express-News reported, according to CBS Sports.
Witnesses told News 4 San Antonio that the service member fell from the ropes. The stadium fell silent as medical personnel rushed to help. The airman was placed on a stretcher and taken off the field on a golf cart, then transported to a hospital by the San Antonio Fire Department as a "Priority 1" patient, a designation used for life-threatening emergencies.
Who the Airman Served With
The service member was assigned to Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, an Air Force unit that supports training for tactical air controllers. The detachment operates out of Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis and is part of a squadron headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base.
Early statements described the service member in different ways. UTSA initially referred to a "soldier," while the Air Force later confirmed the person was an airman.
"Bigger Than Football"
Kickoff was delayed about 10 minutes. UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor kept his players in the locker room while the airman was being treated.
Traylor said he had little information at the time and was unsure how to handle the situation with his team. When the players returned to the field for the opening kickoff, he said, they "could just tell the energy was gone."
UTSA quarterback Owen McCown said the team was praying for the airman's family. He called the moment "obviously bigger than football" and said it was hard at first to refocus on the game.
UTSA went on to beat Navy 38-34 in front of a crowd of 23,297.
UTSA Offers Support
In a statement Saturday night, UTSA said, "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight's game." The university said its thoughts and prayers were with the service member and his loved ones.
UTSA also activated well-being services for students, faculty and staff who may have been affected by what they saw. Students can reach the university's 24/7 crisis hotline at 210-458-4140 or use the TimelyCare app, and academic campus employees can use the Employee Assistance Program at 800-451-1834. UT Health employees can call 800-356-3549, News 4 San Antonio reported.
The Air Force has not said when it will release more details about the airman or what may have caused the fall. Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs said only that the service member was injured at the stadium and later died at a nearby hospital.
The rappel was meant to be a highlight of the Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game, an annual UTSA tradition that honors those who have served. Instead, the day ended with the loss of one of the service members taking part in the tribute.
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