The Air Force has identified the service member who died after plunging from the 170-foot rafters at the Alamodome in front of thousands of spectators during a University of Texas at San Antonio football game Saturday.
The airman was Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, who served with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, according to Nellis Air Force Base.
Patterson was taking part in a fast-rope exhibition from the stadium rafters before UTSA faced Navy.
Videos shared online appeared to show Patterson losing control while descending the rope. He was one of four service members scheduled to participate in the pregame demonstration ahead of the coin toss.
Emergency personnel treated Patterson on the field for approximately 10 minutes before taking him to a hospital, where he later died.
A native of Fort Stewart, Georgia, Patterson had completed 15 years of honorable service in the Air Force.
His decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, along with the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each carrying one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force said.
In 2022, Patterson was selected as the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: California Sends $369M in Fire Recovery Funds to Housing, Not Victims
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” US Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, the wing commander, said.
“Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
Mills also emphasized the importance of the military’s ties to the surrounding community during times of crisis.
“Our relationship with local community partners is incredibly important to our Airmen, especially during difficult times like these,” he said. “We are grateful to the San Antonio community and our mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for the care, compassion and support they have shown.”
The City of San Antonio-owned Alamodome rises approximately 170 feet from the floor to its ceiling.
About 23,000 people were inside the stadium for Saturday’s game.
UTSA officials said they were concerned both for the injured service member and for spectators who witnessed the fall.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s football game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues,” a university spokesperson told the San Antonio Express-News.
The university added that the incident could have an emotional impact on students, faculty and staff and said wellbeing services were being activated to provide support.
