A university student who died after he climbed a street pole and fell while Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrated the team's NFC championship game victory on Sunday was a Toronto native and an accomplished gymnast.
Temple University announced the death of Tyler Sabapathy, 18, in a statement posted Tuesday night on the school's website.
Sabapathy was a freshman studying in the school's College of Public Health, where he majored in exercise and sport science, the university said in the statement.
"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 said.
Witnesses have said Sabapathy climbed to the top of the pole before he fell onto the sidewalk and struck his head. He was taken to a hospital where he died on Tuesday.
Sabapathy had been active in gymnastics for most of his life and earned more than 120 medals in provincial, regional, and international competitions, the university's statement said. He also was active with Temple's gymnastics team.
In a post on Facebook, Coach Jesse Kitzen-Abelson of the Temple University Men's Gymnastics program said the team was heartbroken over Sabapathy's death.
"Not only was he an exceptional athlete, but an outstanding person loved by everyone who knew him," Kitzen-Abelson wrote.
"As #22, he represented his family and our university with the utmost class."
Sabapathy graduated from St. Michael's College School in Toronto in 2024, a spokesperson for the school said Wednesday.
"His joy for life, spirit, and outstanding pursuit of excellence inspired us all," says a statement from the school.