Airman Ian Patterson Dies After Fall at UTSA Game

Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after falling during a pregame rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio, the U.S. Air Force said. Patterson was taken to a local hospital after the fall on October 17, where he later died, according to Nellis Air Force Base, which identified him as assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2. The fall occurred before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s football game against Navy, during the school’s Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event. Video showed Patterson descending rapidly toward the field. Witness Adrian Corey told KSAT that the band stopped and the crowd fell silent. The Air Force has not announced what caused the fall, and its investigation remains underway. Reports differ on whether three or four service members were scheduled to take part in the demonstration. The supplied accounts do not resolve that difference. Some reports estimated the descent at about 170 feet, but the precise distance has not been established. The game was delayed by about 10 minutes and then continued. The American Conference said representatives consulted with the participating schools, Alamodome management and local...