Denver:A person who allegedly breached security fencing to enter a runway at Denver International Airport (DEN) was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines aircraft taking off, airport authorities said. The impact is said to have started an engine fire and an emergency evacuation of passengers was ordered.
The incident has also left 17 people injured, five of whom were hospitalised, a statement from Denver International Airport said.
What happened at the Denver airport? SEE ALSOThe plane, departing Denver for Los Angeles International Airport, “hit a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN about 11:19 pm on Friday,” according to a post on the airport’s official X account.
airport employee not trespasserThe person apparently climbed the perimeter fence at the airport and ran onto the runway, where they were hit by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 just two minutes later. Emergency response teams were called to the scene and passengers were evacuated and taken back to the terminal by bus before later leaving on a replacement flight.
Frontier Flight 4345 reported hitting a pedestrian on takeoff at DEN. Emergency crews arrived at the scene. Passengers were bussed to the terminal and most have since left DEN on a new Frontier flight. “DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was struck just two minutes later while crossing the runway,” the statement read.
Airport authorities said the perimeter fence was not breached and early indications show the trespasser was not an airport employee and remains unidentified. The pedestrian was struck and killed, but is not believed to be an airport employee or identified. “The airport has checked the fenceline and it is intact, the statement said.
The airport also said that Runway 17L remained closed for investigation. The statement also said, "We are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our sympathies to those affected."
FAA investigates incidentThe trespasser “intentionally climbed over a perimeter fence and ran out onto a runway” during the plane’s takeoff, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said, denouncing the breach after the incident.
Duffy said on X airport security is the responsibility of local law enforcement and warned "no one should ever trespass on an airport".
A trespasser evaded security at Denver Int'l Airport and intentionally climbed a perimeter fence and ran out on a runway. Then Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 hit the trespasser on the runway on takeoff at high speed. The pilot terminated the takeoff procedures. Law enforcement and firefighters responded and the Frontier plane was evacuated promptly. The post read, “Preliminary reports are 12 people hurt with 5 taken to the hospital.”
He said law enforcement agencies, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration, are investigating the incident.
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