(WPHL) – A Temple University gymnast has died after falling from a light pole in Philadelphia during city-wide celebrations after the Eagles won the NFC Championship on Sunday.
Tyler Sabapathy, 18, "sustained critical injuries" in the fall and passed away Tuesday, Temple University announced.
Sabapathy, a first-year student at Temple, was a native of Toronto, Canada, and was said to be a "thriving student within Temple University’s College of Public Health, where he was majoring in exercise and sport science."
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Sabapathy was an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions, John Fry, the president of Temple University, said in a statement.
"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," the statement continued.
People climb poles in Philadelphia following the Eagles' NFC Championship win over the Washington Commanders on January 26, 2025. (Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The incident took place in Center City, one of several neighborhoods where Eagles fans gathered to celebrate their team's NFC Championship win. Elsewhere in Philadelphia, revelers were seen setting off fireworks, walking across cars and climbing greased poles.
One person also appeared to fire a gun into the air at the intersection of Frankford and Cottman Avenues in Northwest Philadelphia, while standing amid a large group of other fans. Police confirmed an investigation into that incident.
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In response to Sabapathy's death, Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey said the school's leadership "is committed to supporting our community during this time of unspeakable loss." Students and faculty can also seek support and psychological services, Temple's announcement said.
"Once again, we extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to those closest to Tyler, especially his parents and siblings," reads the announcement from Fry and Bailey. "He will be deeply missed."
