Teen gymnast, 18, dies after falling from pole celebrating Eagles making the Super Bowl
A rising gymnast was killed in tragic circumstances after falling from a pole during chaotic scenes in Philadelphia.
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A Philadelphia Eagles fan has died after falling from a pole during wild celebrations following his side’s NFC Championship success.
Tyler Sabapathy, 18, plunged to the ground in the hours after the Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders on Sunday, The Sun reports.
He was placed on life support following the fall before he died in hospital on Tuesday night.
Witnesses told local media he was trying to take down an Eagles flag.
“I guess he lost his balance and then fell,” Nick Alessandro told the CBS affiliate KYW-TV.
Avid gymnast Sabapathy, from Canada, was a student at Temple University and was majoring in exercise and sports science.
He had won more than 100 medals across different competitions, including regional and international events.
The college has been left heartbroken over his death.
“The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic,” John Fry, the president of Temple University, said.
“There are no words that can make sense of it.
“And the entire Temple community mourns his passing.”
The university gymnastics team said Sabapathy had a “bright future” in front of him.
“It is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world,” a statement said.
Temple University said Sabapathy was loved by his coaches and his teammates.
Chaos erupted on the streets of Philadelphia after the Eagles made their second Super Bowl in three years.
The Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs - the team of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce - on February 9 in New Orleans.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed into a crowd of fans.
“Everybody dancing, getting along. Next thing you know, a car coming down and it’s speeding and it hit 10 people,” a witness told NBC affiliate WCAU.
The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Rebekah DeShields, was arrested at the scene.
DeShields was hit with a slew of charges, including driving without a license and reckless driving.
Cops said the victims injuries were not life threatening.
And, one fan fired a gun into the air while celebrating, sparking panic.
More than 30 revellers were hit with citations.
Some were given tickets for failing to disperse, while two people were arrested after assaulting officers.
This story was published by The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as Teen gymnast, 18, dies after falling from pole celebrating Eagles making the Super Bowl
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