Ohio State University Graduate Dies After Falling from Stadium Stands

A person died after falling from the stadium stands during Ohio State University's graduation ceremony on Sunday.

A person died after falling from the stadium stands during Ohio State University's graduation ceremony on Sunday. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. when an officer called for help over OSU's police radio, according to The Columbus Dispatch: "I need medics and some officers at gate 30 [of Ohio Stadium]... had one fall off the stadium." Medics declared the person dead at 12:25 p.m., WSBN TV reported. It is unclear whether the unnamed person was a student at the university or what caused them to fall several stories to their death.

OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson told the outlet: "An individual fell from the stands. They are deceased. We have no additional details to share at this time. Police and emergency responders are on scene. For anyone affected by today's incident, we will make counseling and other support resources available."

A witness told the outlet that the person fell just as the last of the graduates filed past the area, and that some students were visibly upset in the aftermath.

The ceremony, which began at noon, continued uninterrupted. Commencement speakers did not mention the incident. As students left the ceremony, they reportedly walked past the area where the body fell, which was still cordoned off with yellow police tape.

University police cordoned off the scene after a person died falling from Ohio Stadium during the OSU graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Doral Chenoweth-USA Today Network)

Students are pictured at Sunday's Ohio State University commencement ceremony. The event proceeded on-schedule and speakers did not mention the fatal incident, according to local news outlets. (Doral Chensworth for USA Today Network)

Ohio State University did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

**Paragraph 1:** A person died after falling from the stadium stands during Ohio State University's graduation ceremony on Sunday.

**Paragraph 2:** The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. when an officer called for help over OSU's police radio, according to The Columbus Dispatch: "I need medics and some officers at gate 30 [of Ohio Stadium]... had one fall off the stadium."

**Paragraph 3:** Medics declared the person dead at 12:25 p.m., WSBN TV reported.

**Paragraph 4:** It is unclear whether the unnamed person was a student at the university or what caused them to fall several stories to their death.

**Paragraph 5:** OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson told the outlet: "An individual fell from the stands. They are deceased. We have no additional details to share at this time. Police and emergency responders are on scene. For anyone affected by today's incident, we will make counseling and other support resources available."

**Paragraph 6:** A witness told the outlet that the person fell just as the last of the graduates filed past the area, and that some students were visibly upset in the aftermath.

**Paragraph 7:** The ceremony, which began at noon, continued uninterrupted.

**Paragraph 8:** Commencement speakers did not mention the incident.

**Paragraph 9:** As students left the ceremony, they reportedly walked past the area where the body fell, which was still cordoned off with yellow police tape.

**Paragraph 10:** University police cordoned off the scene after a person died falling from Ohio Stadium during the OSU graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Doral Chenoweth-USA Today Network)