Temple University Student Tyler Sabapathy Dies at Just 18 – Here’s What We Know
|An 18-year-old student, Tyler Sabapathy, tragically died after falling from a light pole in Center City, Philadelphia, on January 26. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away two days later on January 28. The incident occurred during celebrations following the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC Championship win.

Tyler, a first-year student at Temple University, was celebrating with friends when he climbed the pole. Unfortunately, he fell and hit his head on the concrete sidewalk. He was rushed to the hospital with a brain injury but died from his injuries.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Tyler was studying exercise and sports science at Temple. He chose this field after facing several injuries during his gymnastics career, which gave him a deeper understanding of the human body.
Tyler was a member of the university’s club gymnastics team. Over his gymnastics career, he won more than 120 medals in various competitions. He was dedicated to his training, which earned him respect from his teammates and coaches.

Temple University paid tribute to Tyler, calling his death a tragic loss. The university shared that they were heartbroken and offered their condolences to his family and friends.
Before moving to Temple, Tyler trained with the East York Gymnastics Club in Toronto. His mother was very supportive, driving him to practice multiple times a week. Tyler spent around 20 hours a week training, improving his skills across different events.
After finishing high school, Tyler chose Temple University for its strong academic programs and gymnastics facilities. His guidance counselor, Kevin Shaughnessy, praised him for his positive attitude and hard work.

Tyler was also active in extracurricular activities at his high school, including the Common Earth Club and Archangel Productions Club. He was known for his academic excellence and passion for learning.
At Temple, Tyler focused on five gymnastics events, including floor exercise, pommel horse, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. His future was promising, and his passing has left a deep impact on the university community.
In response to the tragic fall, Temple University is supporting its students through this loss, encouraging them to seek help if needed. Philadelphia police are also reviewing their crowd control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While police had planned for crowd control during the celebrations, they acknowledged that some measures were not effective in preventing dangerous actions. There were also reports of other incidents, including disorderly conduct and assaults, during the celebrations.
Philadelphia’s mayor, Cherelle Parker, praised the city’s response to the large crowd but recognized the need for improved safety measures to prevent accidents like Tyler’s fall.