City 'emphatically urging' fans not to climb poles during celebrations after Temple student's death

City leaders continued "emphatically urging" people not to climb street poles during victory celebrations after a Temple student fell and suffered fatal injuries during last Sunday's NFC Championship celebrations.

Tyler Sabapathy, 18, was recorded falling from a pole on 15th and Market streets when thousands of fans took to the street to celebrate the Eagles Super Bowl berth.

Temple called Tyler's death "both tragic and traumatic" in a letter to the school community announcing his passing on Tuesday afternoon. 

What they're saying:

City leaders on Wednesday said climbing poles and other objects "is very dangerous and can cause serious injury along with damaging the city's infrastructure."

Office of Emergency Management Director Adam Thiel and Mayor Cherelle Parker warned fans not to scale street structures ahead of the Eagles-Commanders game.

"We will continue emphatically urging people to not climb poles, structures or other fixed objects at any time," a statement said.

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Eagles fan, 18, dies after falling from pole during celebration: sources

An 18-year-old Eagles fan has died after falling from a pole and hitting head during while celebrating in Center City, sources say.

The city is now turning its attention to Super Bowl weekend, when the Eagles square off against the Kansas City Chief for the second time in three years. 

"We will continue to urge everyone to celebrate responsibly, and we will continue to enforce the law to keep all Philadelphians safe," they said.

The backstory:

The warning from the city came after 18-year-old Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy fell on his head while he was trying to scale a street pole on Sunday.

Sabapathy, a Toronto native and a member of Temple's club gymnastics team, was brought to the hospital in "very critical" condition and died on Tuesday afternoon.

Video of the deadly fall shows Sabapathy sliding down the pole and striking two street signs as he plummeted towards the sidewalk, falling on his head.

"We extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to those closest to Tyler, especially his parents and siblings," Temple said. "He will be missed."

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