Airman killed falling from football stadium ceiling in front of horrified crowd is identified
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An airman who died after falling from a 170 foot high football stadium ceiling in Texas Saturday has been named.
U.S. Airman Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson was rappelling from the rafters as part of a pre-game demonstration before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Roadrunners went head-to-head with the Navy Midshipmen.
He was initially treated on the field at San Antonio’s Alamodome stadium before being rushed to hospital, where he later died.
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander, said in a Nellis Air Force Base statement.
“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,” the statement continued.
“Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
Patterson was from Fort Stewart in Georgia and served for 15 years. He was a tactical air control party instructor and was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.
The airman was a decorated service member, having received the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Oak leaf clusters are used by the Air Force to show subsequent awards for the same decoration.
Patterson also received the Army Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal – each of which came with one oak leaf cluster – and became the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level in 2022.
Footage of the fall posted on social media appeared to show the serviceman slipping down the rope beforehand. He is seen lying motionless while another individual runs over to help him at the 50-yard line.
Adrian Corey, a witness, told KSAT that he recorded Patterson’s fall after taking out his phone in anticipation of a demonstration.
“Everybody’s energy started going up,” he said, describing the mood as the demonstration began.
However, the atmosphere quickly changed after Patterson fell.
“Everybody was quiet; the band stopped performing,” he told the outlet.
The game was delayed by about 10 minutes, with the American Conference stating on Sunday that the decision to go ahead with the football game was taken before Patterson’s death was confirmed.
“In accordance with conference bylaws and with the support of both participating member institutions, the conference made the decision to continue the game,” the statement, obtained by CBS News, read.
“Respect for the family’s privacy and adherence to the military’s notification process guided the decision to mitigate speculation about the service member’s medical status and avoid additional distress for his family.”
Nellis Air Force Base confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident.
Lisa Campos, vice president for intercollegiate athletics at UTSA, paid tribute.
“Today, our hearts are with this service member’s family, his fellow airmen and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy,” she said in a statement.
“The entire Roadrunner Athletics family joins our university and military communities in offering our deepest compassion, respect and heartfelt support.”
