The incident that led to the tragic death of the 18-year-old occurred at 15th and Market Streets in Center City Philadelphia.
Tyler Sabapathy tragically fell from a light pole on January 26, suffering critical injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away on January 28.
The unfortunate incident occurred during celebrations following the Eagles’ NFC Championship win over the weekend. A clip shows Sabapathy, a first-year student at Temple University’s College of Public Health, perched on a street pole. He then tragically fell onto the concrete sidewalk, landing flat on his back and hitting his head.
He was rushed to Jefferson Hospital with a brain injury but sadly, succumbed to his injuries two days later. Sabapathy, originally from Toronto, Canada, was majoring in exercise and sports science at the university. He was also part of its club gymnastics team with over 120 medals in provincial, regional, and international competitions.
In the university’s club gymnastics team, Sabapathy was known for his strong work ethic and commitment as she dedicated countless hours to training and perfecting his skills. He was deeply valued by his teammates, friends, and coaches in Philadelphia.
Temple University released a statement paying tribute to Sabapathy. They penned, “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.”
MEDIA
The gymnast’s journey from Toronto to Temple University was driven by his passion for gymnastics and academics. Sabapathy dedicated much of his childhood to training and competing with the East York Gymnastics Club in Toronto.
His mother played a crucial role in supporting his athletic journey. She tirelessly drove him to and from the gym each week to ensure he could maintain his demanding training schedule.
MEDIA
“I have been training 20 hours a week for the past eight years, split up into five different gym sessions throughout the week. During our time at the gym, we work on our skills across each event and finish with a conditioning circuit,” he revealed.
After he graduated from college, Sabapathy found no competitive university gymnastics programs available in Canada, so he explored options in the US, ultimately choosing Temple. The university’s location, academic offerings, and strong gymnastics program played key roles in his decision.
Brian Matusz, Longtime Orioles Pitcher, Dies at 37 — Details
Chiefs vs Texans & More: 2025 NFL Divisional Playoff Schedule & Where to Watch
Users Say Chiefs’ Victory Over Bills in the AFC Championship Is ‘Rigged’ – Here’s Why
At Temple, his focus was on five events, including floor exercise, pommel horse, vault, parallel bars, and high bar.
The university also reflected on how Sabapathy had a promising future ahead of him. His tragic passing has left a void, and the community mourns the loss of someone who could have made a significant impact on the world.
Temple University has told its community that it is committed to supporting them through this profound loss. It has encouraged students to access available resources, including Tuttleman Counseling Services.