US airman dies as daredevil descent goes wrong before Texas college football game
The game continued after the incident. The American Conference said the decision was made before his death was known.
US airman dies after stunt descent goes wrong before Texas college football game
A member of the US Air Force died after falling while abseiling from the ceiling of a Texas stadium before a college football game.
Video shows the serviceman dropping feet first to the turf at midfield at San Antonio’s 170ft (52 metre) Alamodome on Saturday during a ceremony ahead of the game between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the Naval Academy.
The game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Navy Midshipmen went ahead as scheduled after the tragic incident.
A collegiate athletic association said the choice to continue with the fixture was made before the airman’s death had been confirmed.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and members of the 57th Wing,” US Air Force Brig Gen Scott Mills said in a statement released by Nellis Air Force Base: “This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing.
“Tech Sgt Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing.”
Patterson, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, had served in the US military for 15 years, according to Nellis Air Force Base.
He had received multiple military decorations and, in 2022, was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.
UTSA president Taylor Eighmy said: “I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the service member's family, his fellow airmen, squadron and all those whose lives have been touched by this heartbreaking tragedy.”