The U.S. Air Force has identified Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson as the airman who died after falling during a football pregame display in Texas, an incident the service is investigating.
At San Antonio's Alamodome, Patterson rappelled ahead of the Oct. 17 game between the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and Navy. He received medical care on the field and was taken to a hospital, where he died, the American Conference said.
The Air Force listed Patterson as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor with Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron. He had served for 15 years. His identification follows earlier EconoTimes coverage of the fatal fall, when his name was being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
The American Conference said it continued the game with both universities' support, in line with its bylaws. When representatives of the schools, stadium management and local authorities discussed next steps during the game, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs had not publicly confirmed Patterson's condition, the conference said. It cited family privacy and the military's notification process in explaining its response.
UTSA won 38-34. Nellis Air Force Base said the incident remains under investigation.
