Fans and performers at a college football game in San Antonio fell silent after an Air Force commando plunged from the rafters during a pregame demonstration.
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The unidentified airman fell while participating in a fast-rope demonstration involving four military personnel ahead of the University of Texas at San Antonio's game against Navy.
The incident occurred during the school's "Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans" event.
Emergency responders rushed the airman to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Airman Dies After Fall at College Football Game
Tens of thousands of fans witnessed the tragic incident, with the school's marching band abruptly stopping its performance as staff rushed to help the injured airman.
"Once the band started playing, there was a guy that fell down," witness Adrian Corey said. "And started coming down fast."
"Everyone was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent."
The fall occurred shortly before 7 p.m. at the Alamodome, where the airman was taking part in a pregame ceremony alongside three other military personnel.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the service member belonged to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2.
Tributes Pour In Following Fatal Alamodome Accident
Medical personnel reportedly treated the airman on the field for approximately 10 minutes before carrying him away on a stretcher and transporting him to the hospital.
All four military personnel who took part in the demonstration had undergone combat controller training and had experience descending from helicopters at heights exceeding 100 feet.
The Alamodome's ceiling reportedly stands approximately 170 feet above the ground.
Following the tragedy, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones expressed her condolences on social media.
"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of an Air Force service member following an unfortunate accident at Saturday's UTSA-Navy football game," she wrote.
"We will keep his family in our prayers. May perpetual light shine upon him."
The American Conference also released a statement expressing that officials were "deeply saddened" by the incident.
Conference officials said they were working with representatives from both universities, facility management and local authorities "to review the information available".
