An American Airlines worker was killed after a fatal crash at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Picture: Getty)
An American Airlines employee died after a vehicle collision on the tarmac at an airport in Texas.
The deadly crash took place at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport around 2.02pm on Thursday, authorities said.
Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police Department (APD) were called to the scene at ‘apron’ of Gate 24. The apron is the area of the tarmac where that planes use to approach the gate.
‘They located an adult male with obvious signs of trauma to his body. Unfortunately, the male succumbed to his injuries and is now deceased,’ APD Public Information Officer Corporal Destiny Silva said.
The employee was driving a ‘ground services vehicle,’ which collided with a jet bridge.
Corporal Silva confirmed that the APD’s vehicular homicide unit is investigating the incident as an accidental death. She did not name the employee out of respect for the family.
‘We recognize the sensitive nature, and we really appreciate the community’s patience as we fully investigate,’ Silva said.
The police also confirmed that several witnesses saw the crash on the tarmac. ‘Everybody involved has been fully cooperating with the investigation,’ Silva said.
Austin-Bergstrom confirmed that the accident caused no immediate impact to flights or airport operations.
‘AUS staff are working closely with the airline and emergency services personnel,’ the Airport stated on Thursday night. ‘Our thoughts are with this employee and all those impacted by today’s tragic event.’
‘We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,’ American Airlines stated. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members.’
This is not the first deadly incident to take place on the airport’s tarmac. In May 2020, a man was run over by a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 as it was landing on the runway.
It was quickly determined that the man somehow got onto the grounds without a security badge. After an investigation, the incident was ruled a suicide.
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Multiple people witnessed the deadly crash, police said.