A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles hit and killed a person walking across the runway at Denver International Airport late Friday.
The pedestrian was partially consumed by one of the engines around 11:19 p.m., causing a brief fire that was extinguished by Denver firefighters. The pilots aborted takeoff and initiated an evacuation once smoke seeped into the cabin.
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In a statement Saturday morning, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the person killed was a “trespasser.” The person was killed about two minutes after jumping the perimeter fence.
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“Late last night, a trespasser breached airport security at Denver Int’l Airport, deliberately scaled a perimeter fence, and ran out onto a runway,” Duffy said. “The trespasser on the runway was then struck by Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 during takeoff at high speed. The pilot stopped takeoff procedures immediately. The Frontier plane was then quickly evacuated while law enforcement and firefighters responded.”
Twelve people were hurt, according to Duffy, and five were taken for treatment at a hospital. There were 231 people, including seven crew members, on board the flight.
“No one should EVER trespass on an airport,” the secretary urged.
After the incident, audio from the air traffic control tower showed the pilot saying: “We’re stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.”
Denver International Airport said the National Transportation Safety Board was notified immediately of the incident. The affected section of the runway was closed while the investigation was being conducted.
In a statement of its own, Frontier confirmed the incident.
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“As flight 4345 was departing this evening from Denver International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, the aircraft reportedly struck a pedestrian on the runway during takeoff,” the airline said. “Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution. The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members.”
“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,” the company added. “We are deeply saddened by this event.”
