San Antonio:A United States Air Force serviceman tragically died after falling approximately 150 feet from the rafters of the Alamodome during a pregame rappelling demonstration. The incident occurred before the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners played against the United States Naval Academy on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, the serviceman was one of four military personnel scheduled to rappel from the stadium ceiling as part of UTSA's Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event. During the descent, he reportedly lost control and slid down the rope in an uncontrolled manner before hitting the ground.
Emergency responders quickly attended to him, and he was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Air Force later confirmed his death. The serviceman was part of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, a unit that trains Tactical Air Control Party personnel.
The demonstration aimed to honor members of the armed forces and veterans, but the accident left the audience in shock. Witness Adrian Corey described the scene to local station KSAT, noting the immediate silence and halt of the band's performance following the fall.
The game was briefly postponed after the incident but eventually continued, with UTSA winning 38-34 over Navy.