Air Force officer killed in rappelling accident before UTSA’s game against Navy

An Air Force officer has died after he fell from the rafters of the Alamodome before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s home game against Navy on Saturday.

The officer, who has not been named, was taking part in an event to celebrate UTSA’s Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans night. He fell on to the field while rappelling down from the stadium rafters. He was treated on the field before being taken away 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 members to rappel down from helicopters.

In video of the incident, the crowd could be heard reacting when the officer fell to the field. The Alamodome roof is around 170ft above the field.

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

The start of the game was delayed for around 10 minutes after the incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s game,” UTSA said in a statement. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.”