SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The U.S. Air Force identified the service member who died in a rappelling accident at a University of Texas at San Antonio football game on Saturday.
Sgt. Ian Patterson, from Fort Stewart, served in the military for 15 years and was a decorated officer. Air Force officials identified Patterson on Sunday.
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At Saturday’s college game between UTSA and the Navy Midshipmen, Patterson and several others performed a rappelling stunt.
Officials said Patterson lost control while sliding down the line and landed hard on the field’s turf at the Alamodome.
Medical teams rushed to help, but he died of his injuries after being taken to a hospital.
Witnesses at the game told ABC News that Patterson was one of three service members performing the demonstration. They said while watching the stunt, they noticed “something was wrong” and that he “started coming down fast.”
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In a statement to ABC News, the San Antonio Fire Department said they took Patterson to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after being called to the stadium around 7 p.m. local time.
Patterson had received the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster.
In 2022, the Air Force said Patterson was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force Level.
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander. “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. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
Military leaders said Patterson was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2 at Joint Bas San Antonio, where he served as a tactical air control party instructor.
“Our relationship with local community partners is incredibly important to our Airmen, especially during difficult times like these,” Mills added. “We are grateful to the San Antonio community and our mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for the care, compassion and support they have shown.”
Patterson’s death is under investigation by military personnel.
A UTSA spokesperson told ESPN that students who witnessed the incident were encouraged to make sure of the university’s crisis hotline.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues,” the UTSA spokesperson said. “We recognize that members of our campus community may be emotionally affected by this incident and are activating wellbeing services to support our faculty, staff and students.”
ABC News and CNN contributed to this report.
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