US Air Force sergeant dies in fall from San Antonio stadium

Who's involved

• Sgt. Ian PattersonTactical Air Control Party instructor at Joint Base San Antonio
• Brig Gen Scott MillsUS Air Force official who issued statement
• Taylor EighmyUTSA president
• American ConferenceCollegiate athletic association that issued statement

The facts

• Sgt. Ian Patterson fell while abseiling from the Alamodome ceiling during a ceremony ahead of the UTSA-Navy football game.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• The Alamodome is 170 feet (52 metres) high.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• Patterson died in hospital following the fall.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• Patterson was a Tactical Air Control Party instructor at Joint Base San Antonio.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• Patterson had served in the US military for 15 years.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• Patterson was named Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• The football game between UTSA and the Naval Academy continued as planned after the incident.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources
• The incident is being investigated.^{1 3} Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• American Conference We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and members of the 57th Wing.^{1 3}
• Brig Gen Scott Mills This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing. Tech Sgt Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing.^{1 3}
• UTSA president Taylor Eighmy I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the service member's family, his fellow airmen, squadron and all those whose lives have been touched by this heartbreaking tragedy.^{1 3}
• Collegiate athletic association The decision to press ahead with the fixture was made before the airman's death had been confirmed.^{1 3}