Tragically, a Temple University student who was hurt after falling off a light post during the festivities after the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship triumph passed away on Tuesday.
When the disaster happened, Tyler Sabapathy, 18, a first-year student at Temple’s College of Public Health, was in the middle of a raucous party in Center City, Philadelphia, on Sunday night.
Born in Toronto, Sabapathy had come to the United States to further his education, specializing in sport and exercise science.
The incident happened at 15th and Market Streets shortly after the Eagles defeated the Washington Commanders 55-23 to guarantee their participation in the 2017 Super Bowl.
Fans hailed their team’s victory and anticipated the Super Bowl game against the Kansas City Chiefs as the victory triggered joyous celebrations throughout the city.
Unfortunately, Sabapathy engaged in a common but dangerous pastime among victory-celebrating fans during these celebrations: climbing a light pole.
According to authorities, Sabapathy suffered serious injuries after falling from a considerable height. He passed away on Tuesday from his wounds in spite of attempts to save him.
The community at Temple University is devastated by the death. Both Temple President John Frey and Vice President Jodi Bailey released a statement expressing the university’s profound sadness and characterizing the loss as “both tragic and traumatic.”
“Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved him,” according to the statement.
“There are no words that can make sense of it,” they said, recognizing the sorrow the tragedy has caused on Sabapathy’s family and the entire university community.
Tyler was just starting his academic career at Temple as a first-year student, so his sudden passing was all the more tragic for those who knew him.
Tyler participated in extracurricular activities as well, especially as a member of the club gymnastics team at the university. His dedication to both academics and athletics was demonstrated by his participation in the team and his studies.
Temple officials expressed their sympathies to everyone who had known him and promised to support his family and friends during this extremely trying period.
The Philadelphia Police Department stated that they had opened an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sabapathy’s fall and acknowledged that they were aware of the terrible incident.
Even while these kinds of mishaps are regrettably often during wild festivities, investigators are still looking into the specifics to determine how the incident happened.
The event serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with such joyous activities, particularly when they are held at significant events.
Tyler Sabapathy’s family, friends, and peers continue to grieve the loss of a young life stolen too soon as the university and the city of Philadelphia deal with this tragic loss.
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“The TUMG program and I are heartbroken over the passing of Tyler Sabapathy. Not only was he an exceptional athlete, but an outstanding person loved by everyone who knew him,” Owls coach Jesse Kitzen-Abelson stated.
“Tyler is an inspiration to us all, and he will forever live on through our TUMG members. Please keep the Sabapathy family in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic time.”
