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The incident took place on late Friday when a Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was taking off from Denver en route to Los Angeles.
According to the Denver airport, the Frontier flight “reported striking a pedestrian” at approximately 11.19 pm local time. (Image: AFP File)
One person died after getting hit by a Frontier Airlines while running on the runway after jumping the perimeter fence, Denver International Airport said on Saturday.
The incident took place on late Friday when a Frontier Airlines Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was taking off from Denver en route to Los Angeles. Carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, it was scheduled to depart at 10.39 pm (local time).
CNN quoted the company saying that when the plane was departing, “the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff”. “Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution,” it said.
In a post on Facebook, the Denver airport authorities said: “One person died after getting hit by a Frontier Airlines while running on the runway after jumping the perimeter fence, Denver International Airport said on Saturday.”
“DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway. The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified. The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact,” they said.
CNN Air traffic control audio, shared by the ATC.com app, captured the moment a pilot from the Frontier flight told controllers the plane “hit somebody.” Seconds later, a controller said emergency vehicles were being dispatched. “There was an individual walking across the runway,” the pilot can be heard saying.
“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,” Frontier said. “We are deeply saddened by this event.”
“12 people reported minor injuries and 5 of these were transported to local hospitals. Runway 17L remains closed for investigation and we expect it will be open within the next couple hours,” the airport authority added.
Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)
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