A U.S. military service member died after falling onto the field at the Alamodome during a pregame rappelling demonstration that went wrong before Saturday night’s UTSA football game, according to a Sunday statement from a Nellis Air Force Base spokesperson.
Social media video showed the man descending rapidly on a rappel rope before hitting the turf near midfield. San Antonio EMS placed him on a stretcher and transported him to a hospital as a Priority One case—the classification used for life-threatening injuries or illnesses—a San Antonio EMS spokesperson said Saturday. The Nellis AFB spokesperson confirmed that the man later died at the hospital.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy issued a statement Sunday expressing condolences to the service member’s family, fellow airmen and others affected. He said the university community stands together in sadness and compassion for everyone touched by the tragedy.
The Roadrunners were playing Navy in UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game. The American Conference matchup continued after a brief delay caused by the pregame incident, and UTSA won 38-34.
According to multiple reports, the man was one of four service members taking part in the pregame rappelling demonstration. UTSA athletics said the participants were from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that trains tactical air controllers for the Air Force. Their training includes rappelling from structures as low as 15 feet and from helicopters at heights exceeding 100 feet.
A UTSA athletics spokesperson said a similar demonstration took place without incident at last year’s Salute to Armed Forces game.
Eighmy said what was meant to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration had instead been marked by profound sadness.
The American Conference said Sunday that the game was played with the support of both teams and in line with conference bylaws. Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti was at the game and met with school representatives, Alamodome management, local authorities and a working group to review available information, the conference said.
The conference added that the situation has been difficult for everyone involved. According to Nellis Air Force Base, the circumstances surrounding the service member’s death are under investigation, and officials have asked that the privacy of his family, loved ones and teammates be respected during this time.