A member of the Air Force assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, died from his injuries after falling while attempting to rappel from the rafters of the Alamodome during a pregame demonstration before UTSA’s football game against Navy on Saturday, according to Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs.
Rappelling Demonstration Goes Tragic Before UTSA-Navy Kickoff
Four military members were scheduled to rappel to the field as part of the pre-game ceremony for the University of Texas at San Antonio’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game. About halfway through the descent from the Alamodome rafters, one of the service members appeared to lose control, sliding down the line in an uncontrolled manner and crashing to the turf.
Medical personnel immediately rushed to the injured man and formed a semicircle around him while providing first aid on the field for roughly 10 minutes. The San Antonio Fire Department stated that it transported a person with a life-threatening injury to a hospital, where the service member subsequently died, according to Task & Purpose. The Air Force did not release the identity of the deceased service member.
Statement from the American Conference on tonight’s pregame incident at the Alamodome. pic.twitter.com/74owLnGreQ
Game delayed 10 minutes after service member falls
The accident delayed the start of the football game by 10 minutes. Spectators watched in silence as emergency crews tended to the fallen service member, with witness Adrian Corey telling KSAT that the band stopped performing and the crowd went dead silent, as noted by the New York Post. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor told reporters after the game that the accident was heartbreaking and tragic, adding that the team could immediately sense the energy was gone in a crowd of over 23,000 people.
UTSA released an official statement following the tragedy: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.” The university activated well-being services to support students, faculty, and staff emotionally affected by the event, directing those in need to the university crisis hotline and the TimelyCare App.
A service member with an Air Force training unit died after falling while rappelling from the rafters at a San Antonio college football game https://t.co/khL9bkbvlJ
Airmen train to fast-rope from high structures
The airmen participating in the demonstration belonged to a unit that trains tactical air controllers, according to Task & Purpose. Their training includes learning to fast-rope from structures 15 to 30 feet high and rappelling from helicopters hovering at heights of 100 feet or more. The 6th Combat Training Squadron is based out of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, while Detachment 2 operates from Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis and the Chapman Training Annex, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Federal and military authorities confirmed that the incident remains under active investigation.
Questions About the Alamodome Demonstration
Which military unit was conducting the Alamodome rappel?
The four-person demonstration team belonged to Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that trains tactical air controllers operating out of Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, according to Nellis Air Force Base.
How high were the rafters inside the Alamodome?
The service members rappelled from the rafters of the Alamodome, which has a ceiling roughly 170 feet high, as reported by the New York Post.
Terrible news from UTSA game: “Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs issued a statement saying the service member, who was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, was injured at the stadium and died at a local hospital.” https://t.co/38bqGRcbtU
What was the official status of the game following the incident?
The start of the football game between UTSA and Navy was delayed by 10 minutes while medical personnel treated the injured service member on the field, and UTSA ultimately went on to win the matchup 38-34.
“I know we said a prayer postgame, but they’ll continue being our thoughts and prayers, and really thinking about them. It’s hard. I just think as players too, my thoughts go immediately with the family. It’s obviously bigger than football,” UTSA quarterback Owen McCown said.
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