An Air Force service member died Saturday after falling while rappelling from the ceiling to midfield before a University of Texas at San Antonio football game honoring military personnel and veterans.

Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs confirmed that the service member, assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. His identity had not been released, and authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall.

The incident occurred before UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game against Navy at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Video shared on social media showed the service member descending rapidly toward the field feet first while wearing combat fatigues. Fans were seated in the stands, and a band had gathered nearby when the fall occurred. Emergency personnel treated him on the field for several minutes before removing him on a gurney.

The service member was one of four military personnel scheduled to take part in the pregame rappelling demonstration. According to an Air Force website, specialists involved in the demonstration work alongside Army and Marine units, helping direct air and artillery strikes from forward ground positions. Their training includes rapidly descending by rope, sometimes from helicopters positioned 100 feet or more above the ground.

UTSA issued a statement expressing sorrow over the incident and offering counseling resources to students. “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s game,” the university said. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.”

The game was delayed by approximately 10 minutes before proceeding. UTSA ultimately defeated Navy 38-34. After the game, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “tragic.” He said the team could sense the change in atmosphere as players entered the field in front of more than 23,000 spectators. Traylor said he had initially been told only that an incident would delay kickoff, but the impact on the crowd was immediately apparent. “You could tell the energy was just gone,” he said. “It just really puts things in perspective. It really does.”

The investigation into the fatal fall remains underway.