Air Force Service Member Dies After Pregame Rappelling Accident at UTSA Football Game

A U.S. Air Force service member died Saturday after suffering injuries during a pregame ceremony at the University of Texas at San Antonio football game.

The incident occurred before kickoff at the Alamodome, where the service member was participating in a military demonstration. Witnesses said the individual fell while rappelling from the stadium domed ceiling and landed near midfield.

In a statement, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs confirmed that the service member, who was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, was injured during the event and later died at a local hospital.

Officials have not released additional details, and the incident remains under investigation.

Despite the tragedy, the game between the UTSA Roadrunners and Navy Midshipmen proceeded as scheduled.

Following the game, the university expressed sorrow over the accident, saying it was “deeply saddened” by what occurred before kickoff.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues,” the university said in a statement. UTSA also announced that support services would be made available to students, faculty and staff who may have been impacted by the incident.

The death has cast a somber shadow over what was expected to be a celebratory game-day event, as military and university officials work to determine exactly what led to the fatal fall.