Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker is urging Eagles fans not to climb poles, or any other structure, following a Temple student’s death this week.
Tyler Sabapathy, 18, died Tuesday afternoon from injuries that resulted from falling from a light pole during celebrations of the Eagles’ NFC Championship win on Sunday night in Center City.
At a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed her condolences to Sabapathy’s family and urged Philly residents to be more careful when celebrating.
“We want to have a good time celebrating our Eagles in every way imaginable, but we have to do so in a way that does not result in this kind of tragedy,” she said.
Sabapathy was a first-year exercise and sport science major from Toronto, Canada. He was climbing a pole at 15th and Market streets in Center City when he slipped and fell, hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. He was hospitalized with a brain injury and pronounced dead two days later.
The mayor warned that beyond light poles, it’s not safe to climb atop anything as part of a celebration.
“We will continue to be emphatic about not just not climbing poles, but any other structures, right?” she said. “Or any other fixed objects at any time. Please, it’s just not appropriate, Philadelphia.”
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Student Affairs Jodi Bailey issued a statement mourning Sabapathy’s death, describing it as “both tragic and traumatic.” Sabapathy was a member of the university’s club gymnastics team and had won over 120 medals in various competitions.
Parker expressed her condolences and continued to urge fans not to climb poles during celebrations, citing the dangers and potential for serious injury.
“So, I want to continue to reaffirm and echo the same sentiments that I said before that game – asking the public to refrain from climbing poles,” she said. “That is not what our street lights and our poles are.”
The Temple student’s death was the most tragic incident after the NFC title game, but it was far from the only trouble. According to police, there were more than 30 citations for disorderly conduct or failure to disperse, two shootings, four assaults on police with two arrests, and vandalization of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
Parker said the city will focus on promoting responsible celebration ahead of the Feb. 9 Super Bowl.
“That entire team of emergency management, of personnel, of leaders, of our first responders, they are going to continue doing what they’ve been doing,” she said. “And that is to make the public health and safety of Philadelphia our number one priority and to ensure that in the midst of great celebration, that the people of our city are as protected as they possibly can, and we are to use every tool in our toolbox to make that happen.”
The mayor did not confirm whether poles were greased before the title game, and there was no answer on whether the city would be doing it for the Super Bowl.
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2025-01-29 16:13:23
