A tragic incident occurred at Ohio State University during the graduation ceremony on May 5, 2024, where a person fell from Ohio Stadium and tragically lost their life. The individual fell from the stands during the ceremony, leading to their death.
The incident prompted emergency response efforts and left those in attendance visibly shaken. An officer sent out a call for help over the OSU police radio at around 12:30 p.m., stating, “I need medics and some officers at gate 30 (of Ohio Stadium)… had one fall off the stadium.”
The scene of the fall was surrounded with lots of yellow tape and concerned officials, according to Dispatch photographer Doral Chenoweth, who was at the scene.
“An individual fell from the stands. They are deceased,” the University said in a statement to USA TODAY. “For anyone affected by today’s incident, we will make counseling and other support resources available.”
People in the stands and some students at commencement were visibly upset, according to Dispatch reporter Jordan Laird, who was inside at the time of the incident.
The incident has not been mentioned by commencement speakers.
The circumstances surrounding the fall are under investigation, and the University has offered counseling and support resources for those affected by the tragic event.
