A U.S. Air Force service member assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2 died after falling from the ceiling of the Alamodome during a pregame ceremony at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) football game on Saturday. The incident occurred before the scheduled matchup between UTSA and the Navy Midshipmen.
The service member was participating in a rappelling demonstration as part of the pregame ceremonies for UTSA’s annual Salute to Service game when he fell, landing near the middle of the football field. Emergency medical personnel responded immediately and transported the individual to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The Alamodome confirmed the incident took place during the opening festivities.
The Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs office issued a statement confirming the service member’s death and noting that the incident remains under investigation. The statement did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the fall. UTSA officials also released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues,” the university said. “We recognize that members of our campus community may be emotionally affected by this incident and are activating wellbeing services to support our faculty, staff and students.”
The football game between UTSA and Navy proceeded as scheduled following the incident. UTSA officials confirmed that counseling and support services were made available to attendees and campus community members in the aftermath of the tragedy.