PHILADELPHIA — A young man, aged 18, passed away after falling from a light pole while celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship victory over the weekend.
Our Philadelphia sister station, 6ABC Action News, has learned the victim was a first-year Temple University student.
“With great sorrow, we inform you of the tragic passing of first-year student Tyler Sabapathy. Tyler suffered serious injuries during the weekend and unfortunately succumbed to them this afternoon,” the university’s statement revealed on Tuesday evening. “Losing a bright 18-year-old individual like Tyler is incredibly sad and difficult to comprehend. There are no adequate words to explain it, and the entire Temple community is grieving his loss. Our thoughts are with Tyler’s family, friends, peers, and all those who knew and cherished him.”
The tragedy happened on Sunday night at 15th and Market streets in Center City Philadelphia.
Video shows the teen above on the street pole before he fell onto the concrete sidewalk flat on his back, hitting his head.
He was taken to Jefferson Hospital with a brain injury before he passed away.
Sabapathy was a native of Toronto, Canada. He was majoring in exercise and sport science and was a member of the university’s club gymnastics team.
“A talented gymnast with over 120 medals from local, national, and global competitions, Tyler was passionate about preventing injuries, which influenced his choice of major. He undoubtedly had a promising future ahead of him, and it is truly heartbreaking that we won’t witness how he could have left his mark on the world,” the statement added.
Grief counselors will be available for students and staff.
Philadelphia police had an internal briefing Tuesday to review Sunday’s response and discuss what strategies they will use during the next possible celebration, which could be in just two weeks.
The city won’t say if they greased the poles on Sunday, adding that they don’t want to release public safety tactics.
Longtime fans tell us they don’t know if greasing the poles is a good deterrent.
Authorities are also still investigating numerous reports of other injuries from throughout the night on Sunday, including shootings, a stabbing and assaults on police officers.
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