Frontier Airways planes are parked at gates in Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) in Denver, Colorado, on August 5, 2023.
Daniel Slim | Afp | Getty Photos
Frontier Airways passenger jet struck and killed a pedestrian on a runway at Denver Worldwide Airport throughout a deliberate takeoff for Los Angeles late on Friday, the airport mentioned in a press release.
The Frontier flight reported putting a person throughout takeoff and deserted its departure. The pedestrian, who has not been recognized, had jumped the perimeter fence and was hit simply two minutes later whereas crossing the runway, the airport mentioned.
Denver Worldwide Airport officers mentioned in a publish on X {that a} pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit simply two minutes later whereas crossing the runway.
“The pedestrian is deceased, and isn’t believed to be an worker of the airport nor have they been recognized,” the assertion learn.
The incident triggered a short engine fireplace with smoke within the cabin on the Airbus A321 flight, which was carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members, all of whom have been evacuated safely.
Twelve individuals reported minor accidents and 5 have been transported to native hospitals, the airport mentioned.
“We’re extraordinarily saddened by this incident and categorical our sympathies to these concerned,” airport officers mentioned in a assertion on X.
Frontier mentioned it was investigating the incident and gathering extra info in coordination with the airport and different security authorities.
The airport closed the runway the place the incident occurred and expects to reopen it in a couple of hours, it mentioned, including that it had additionally examined the fence line crossed by the person and located it intact.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned native legislation enforcement is investigating the incident with assist from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Safety Administration.
