A teenage Philadelphia Eagles fan who climbed a light pole after the team’s NFC Championship win tragically died on Tuesday from injuries sustained in a fall.
Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy, 18, suffered severe brain trauma when he fell from a pole at 15th and Market streets on Sunday night.
He was placed on life support at Jefferson Hospital before passing away, ABC 6 reported.
University and City Mourn Loss
Temple University officials have since expressed deep sorrow over the freshman’s heartbreaking passing.
“It is with deep sadness that we write to share news of the death of first-year student Tyler Sabapathy,” Temple President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey said in a joint statement. “Over the weekend, Tyler sustained critical injuries and ultimately passed away this afternoon.
“The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic. There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing. Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved him.”
Sabapathy, a native of Toronto, Canada, was a member of Temple’s gymnastics team and majored in exercise and sport science.
“As an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions, Tyler was fascinated with injury prevention, and this ultimately led him to pursue the major that he did.
He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world,” the statement continued.
Temple University urged grieving students to seek counseling services.
“He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world.”
Officials Had Warned Fans
Ahead of the Eagles’ victory celebrations, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker urged fans to celebrate safely.
“You don’t want to be in a celebratory moment, you know, have a tragedy occur,” Parker said. “Please don’t climb the poles.”
Despite the warning, Sabapathy and others climbed poles across the city. ABC 6 also reported that at least two people were shot during the chaotic celebrations.
At Cottman and Frankford Avenues, one fan was seen firing gunshots into the air. “You don’t want that. So please, please don’t shoot guns in the air,” Parker added.
Eyewitnesses Recall Tragic Fall
Nick Alessandro of Blackwood, N.J., told CBS News that he saw the moment Sabapathy lost his balance.
“He was trying to take down the Eagles flag from the pole, and I guess he lost his balance and then fell,” Alessandro said. “And then everyone swarmed toward him, but other people went away. It was a mess.”
Per CBS News, officials have reported 31 citations for disorderly conduct or failure to disperse, as well as four assaults on police with two arrests.
Overall, Parker has praised law enforcement’s efforts to maintain crowd control, saying: “Listen, by and large, Philly, we celebrated responsibly.
“I do think our police and emergency responders did an excellent job with crowd control.”
Our thoughts go out to Sabapathy’s loved ones at this time.
