Eagles fan dies at 18 after falling from light pole during NFC Championship celebration

Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy died after falling from a light pole during the Eagles' celebration.

An Eagles fan who climbed a light pole in Philadelphia to celebrate the team’s NFC Championship win and later fell has died.  

The 18-year-old, identified as Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy, suffered severe brain trauma after falling at 15th and Market streets on Sunday night. He was placed on life support before passing away at Jefferson Hospital, according to ABC 6 in Philadelphia.  

Courtesy: Instagram / @itsmedreko

Courtesy: Instagram / @itsmedreko

Courtesy: Instagram / @itsmedreko

Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey released a statement mourning his passing.  

“It is with deep sadness that we write to share news of the death of first-year student Tyler Sabapathy,” the statement read. “Over the weekend, Tyler sustained critical injuries and ultimately passed away this afternoon.  

Courtesy: Instagram /tylersabagym

“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, originally from Toronto, Canada, was a student-athlete on the university’s gymnastics team and was studying exercise and sport science.  

Before the celebrations, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker cautioned fans against climbing poles or firing guns in the streets.  

“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, multiple people, including Sabapathy, attempted to climb poles throughout the city. ABC 6 also reported that at least two individuals were shot amid the street celebrations.  

One fan was seen firing gunshots into the air at the intersection of Cottman and Frankford Avenues.  

Nick Alessandro from Blackwood, N.J., shared with CBS News that he witnessed the fall that resulted in Sabapathy’s death.  

“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.”