Public Safety · San Antonio, TX
Airman Dies After Rappel Fall at San Antonio Stadium Pre-Game Demonstration
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year service member from Fort Stewart, Georgia, died Saturday after falling while rappelling during a pregame demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The incident occurred before the annual "Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans" college football game between Navy and the University of Texas at San Antonio, which drew over 23,000 spectators. Patterson was one of four service members scheduled to participate in the rappelling demonstration; he was treated on the field before being transported to a hospital, where he died. The Air Force has launched an investigation, and kickoff was delayed approximately 10 minutes following the fall.