This morning a Mississippi State University junior, Andrew Scott Demboski from Ocean Springs, died after he fell from the top of Davis Wade Stadium’s ‘Jumbotron’ onto the roof of a building around 20 feet below and striking his head, WTVA reported.
MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter released a statement later that confirms the death of the Environmental Economics major and says an investigation has been started and no additional statements will be issued until Monday.
WTVA reported Demboski and two other students climbed the structure that houses the large video monitors in MSU’s football stadium commonly referred to as the ‘Jumbotron’ in the early hours of May 7. Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt said Demboski apparently slipped on the sheet metal roofing and fell onto a lower structure below at around 1:30 this morning.
The Dispatch reported Starkville Fire Chief Yarbrough said the location the student fell to greatly hampered their ability to reach Demboski and had to resort to high-angle rescue techniques as the victim was located beyond the 100-foot reach of their fire truck’s ladder.
After retrieving Demboski from the roof he fell to, Hunt said responders worked on him for over an hour but were unable to save him.
“Andrew was a very talented student. Our campus is saddened by this loss on the day of Spring Commencement,” MSU’s release said. “We all mourn Andrew’s passing and are keeping his family in our prayers.”