Temple student dies after falling from light pole during Eagles celebrations in Center City Philadelphia
Share and Follow

PHILADELPHIA — An 18-year-old man has died after he fell from a light pole during celebrations after the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship win this weekend.

Our Philadelphia sister station, 6ABC Action News, has learned the victim was a first-year Temple University student.

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

“As an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions, Tyler was fascinated with injury prevention, and this ultimately led him to pursue the major that he did. He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world,” the statement continued.

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.

SEE ALSO | Injuries reported after vehicle strikes crowd celebrating Eagles win in Philadelphia

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Stars' goodbye to Mani including Liam, David Beckham and Paul Weller

Celebrities, including Liam Gallagher, David Beckham, and Paul Weller, Pay Tribute to Mani in Heartfelt Farewell

Today, a poignant farewell for Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the iconic Stone Roses…
Pilot reports UFO hovering beside jet, leaving air traffic control stunned: 'Good luck with the aliens'

Pilot Encounters Unidentified Object Near Jet, Leaving Air Traffic Control in Awe

While soaring thousands of feet above Rhode Island, a private jet pilot…
Donna West sits with her grandson Paul Quirk as they speak to a reporter, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

An In-Depth Examination of America’s Aging Baby Boomer Generation

In 2026, the pioneering baby boomers—once the youthful force that reshaped American…
6 alleged members of Faceworld Chicago gang charged with racketeering conspiracy, indicted in 13 murders: U.S. Attorney's Office

U.S. Attorney Charges Six Faceworld Chicago Gang Members in Major Racketeering Conspiracy Linked to 13 Murders

In a significant legal development, a federal grand jury has brought charges…
‘Israel is only the appetizer’: Huckabee warns Iran threat looms as Netanyahu eyes Trump talks

Huckabee Cautions on Iran’s Growing Threat as Netanyahu Considers Discussion with Trump

Huckabee says Iran’s ‘ultimate goal is to destroy the US’ The U.S.…
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry say firing employees is 'inevitable' as Archewell charity undergoes restructuring

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Restructure Archewell Charity, Address Staff Changes

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have addressed recent staff changes within their…
Aetna to cover IVF treatments for same-sex couples in national settlement

Aetna Announces National Settlement to Include IVF Coverage for Same-Sex Couples

Mara Berton and June Higginbotham, like many young women, dreamed of starting…
Manhunt underway for suspect accused of killing two people outside Chipotle restaurant

Authorities Launch Search for Suspect in Double Homicide Outside Chipotle Restaurant

In a bid to apprehend a suspect linked to a tragic double…