Airman Killed In Rappelling Accident During Football Game ID'ed As GA Man

SAN ANTONIO, TX — The U.S. Air Force on Monday said the airman who died while rappelling from the rafters at a Texas college football game was from Georgia.

The deadly incident happened Saturday at a University of South Texas at San Antonio game and killed Air Force Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, who was from Fort Stewart.

With 15 years of experience, Patterson was assigned as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor for the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio.

Patterson died after being taken to a hospital following the fall at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Nellis Air Force Base said in a statement. He had been rappelling toward the ground when spectators watched him plunge to the field before Navy's game against UTSA, the Associated Press reported.

The military says an investigation is underway. The demonstration was part of a pregame program for the crowd during the annual “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” game.

Patterson was one of four military service members who were scheduled to participate in the pregame rappelling demonstration.

A video of the fall that was posted on social media showed Patterson in combat fatigues quickly descending to the ground feet first.

The fall occurred with fans in the stands and a band and cheerleaders assembled nearby on the field. He was treated on the field for several minutes and taken away.

Officials delayed the start of the game for about 10 minutes following the fall.

UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor said his team could see the effect that it had on the crowd of over 23,000 people as soon as players arrived on the field for the game, which his team won 38-34. Traylor said he had only been told there had been an “incident” that would delay kickoff.

“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander, said in a statement. "Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to our 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."

Patterson earned the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level during his service, according to the military.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.