Air Force officer killed in rappelling accident before UTSA vs. Navy game | College football

An Air Force officer died after falling from the rafters of the Alamodome before the University of Texas’ home game against Navy on Saturday.

The officer, who has not been named, was participating in an event to celebrate UTSA’s Salute to the Armed Forces and Veterans Night. He fell onto the field while rappelling from the stadium rafters. He was treated on the field before being evacuated on a stretcher. He later died from his injuries at a local hospital. Nellis Air Force Base said he was part of the 6th Combat Training Squadron. The unit helps train military personnel to rappel from helicopters.

In video of the incident, the crowd could be heard reacting as the officer fell to the ground. The roof of the Alamodome sits approximately 170 feet above the field.

“There was something — you could just tell the energy was gone (from the crowd),” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. “I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before. It just puts things into perspective. It really does.”

The start of the match was delayed approximately 10 minutes after the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred early in tonight’s game,” UTSA said in a statement. “Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his fellow soldiers. »