Skydiver rescued after crashing into scoreboard before Virginia Tech spring football game

2 hours ago 9

The incident is the latest recent event at a U.S. college football game in which a pre-game landing didn't reach the expected location.

Author of the article:

Postmedia News

Published Apr 18, 2026  •  1 minute read

Personnel on a lift work to secure a skydiver that crashedIn this image from video, personnel on a lift work to secure a skydiver that crashed into the Lane Stadium scoreboard before Virginia Tech’s spring NCAA college football game on April 18, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. Photo by Ben Walls /The Associated Press

Before U.S. college football games at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., the entrance of the home team to Enter Sandman, a Metallica song, is a cherished tradition.

“Enter Skydiver” didn’t work out quite as well.

Article content

Article content

On Saturday, before Virginia Tech’s spring football game, a skydiver crashed into the scoreboard at the university’s Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech officials said on X that the skydiver “was safely secured and is currently stable” following rescue efforts. The incident caused a delay in the start of the game.

The name of the skydiver wasn’t released.

THE ‘ENTER SANDMAN’ ENTRANCE, FROM A 2023 GAME

Loading...

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

“Our primary focus remains on their well-being,” Virginia Tech officials said in a statement. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response.”

Virginia Tech later put out a statement on X saying that the “quick actions” of first responders had “safely returned today’s parachuter to the ground without injury.”

Advertisement 2

Toronto Sun

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

  • Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
  • Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
  • Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
  • Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
  • Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

  • Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
  • Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
  • Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
  • Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
  • Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

  • Access articles from across Canada with one account.
  • Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
  • Enjoy additional articles per month.
  • Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

  • Access articles from across Canada with one account
  • Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
  • Enjoy additional articles per month
  • Get email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

We are grateful to report that the skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable. Our primary focus remains on their well-being.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional…

— HokieSports (@hokiesports) April 18, 2026

Video footage showed the skydiver’s parachute landing between the “C” and the “H” on the Virginia Tech lettering on top of the scoreboard before first responders rescued him.

The Blacksburg Fire Department didn’t immediately respond to a voicemail from The Associated Press seeking details on the incident.

The incident is the latest recent event at a U.S. college football game in which a pre-game landing didn’t reach the expected location.

Before the Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 16, 2025, one of the skydivers missed the football field and landed in a nearby baseball park.

Before the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 2, 2026, a parachutist briefly became tangled in end zone netting before freeing himself and landing. The man was able to walk away. Another member of the five-person parachutist group missed the field altogether.

— with files from The Associated Press

Article content

*** Disclaimer: This Article is auto-aggregated by a Rss Api Program and has not been created or edited by Bdtype.

(Note: This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News Rss Api. News.bdtype.com Staff may not have modified or edited the content body.

Please visit the Source Website that deserves the credit and responsibility for creating this content.)

Watch Live | Source Article