The American aviator who died after a rapid fall as he abseiled from the rafters of a stadium before a college football game in Texas, he had been a Georgia serviceman for 15 years, according to the Air Force.
US Air Force Technology. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after being taken to the hospital following his fall Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Nellis Air Force Base said in a statement. He was rappelling to the ground when spectators saw him diving onto the field before Navy’s game against the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The military says an investigation is underway. The demonstration was part of a pregame program for the crowd at the annual “Salute to the Armed Forces and Veterans” game in San Antonio.
“This tragedy is deeply felt throughout the 57th Wing,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander, said in a statement.
Patterson was a Tactical Air Control Group instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, and served for 15 years, according to the Army. He was a native of Fort Stewart, Georgia, and had received many decorations and honors.
Video of the fall posted on social media showed Patterson in combat gear quickly descending to the ground, feet first. The fall occurred with fans in the stands and a band and cheerleaders gathered nearby on the field. He was treated on the ground for several minutes and taken away.
Patterson’s wife’s sister declined to comment.
The match was delayed after an emergency intervention
Officials delayed the start of the match for about 10 minutes after the fall.
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor said his team could see the effect it had on the crowd of more than 23,000 as soon as the players took the court for the game, which his team won 38-34. Traylor said he was only told there had been an “incident” that would delay the kickoff.
“You could tell the energy was gone,” he said. “It really puts things into perspective. It really does.”
The American Conference, which includes UTSA, said in a statement that a discussion about whether the game should proceed took place between league officials, Alamodome management and local authorities.
At the time, the conference said, the military had not yet publicly confirmed the death. He made the decision to play the game “in accordance with the conference bylaws” and with the support of other conference members.
“Respect for the family’s privacy and respect for the Army’s notification process guided the decision to mitigate speculation about the service member’s medical condition and avoid additional distress to his family,” the statement said.
The Air Force says the demonstration included a team of specialists
Patterson was one of four soldiers scheduled to participate in the pre-game booster demonstration.
According to an Air Force website, the service members participating in the rappelling demonstration were part of a team that integrates with Army and Navy units and helps direct air and artillery strikes from forward ground locations.
Part of their training includes learning to rapid drop with a rope, sometimes from helicopters 100 feet (about 30 meters) or more above the ground.
Military booster demonstrations have already been organized at sporting events.
In 2016, soldiers recalled from the ceiling during a major league baseball game in Florida and in 2012, parachutist rescue troops with the Kentucky Air National Guard recalled to the side at the University of Louisville Stadium.
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Wilder is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover under-reported issues.
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