An Air Force airman has died after falling 170 feet from the rafters during a pre-game rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The incident took place on Saturday night before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s football game against Navy, held as part of the university’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event.
Four members of the Air Force’s 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, had been scheduled to descend from the stadium rafters to the field. Video posted online appeared to show one of the airmen losing control during the descent before hitting the ground.
Football staff and medical personnel rushed to the service member’s aid. The airman was carried from the stadium on a stretcher and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.
The Air Force later confirmed that the service member had died. Their identity has not been released.
The 6th Combat Training Squadron trains Tactical Air Control Party personnel, who work alongside Army and Marine units to co-ordinate air support from the ground.
A spokesperson for Nellis Air Force Base said the incident was under investigation and that further information would be released when available.
