On a somber note, a wrongful death incident took place at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport when an employee from the city of Austin’s Aviation Department tragically lost their life. The employee was struck by a fuel storage vehicle on Tuesday morning, near the western end of Barbara Jordan Terminal.
The specifics surrounding the wrongful death incident are yet to be clarified. The Austin Police Department swiftly responded and is currently leading an investigation. “This is an active investigation, and no further details are currently available,” commented Brandon Jones, the Police Department’s communications manager.
Emergency medical teams and Austin police were promptly alerted at 9:26 a.m., following reports of the mishap. Capt. Christa Stedman, an Austin-Travis County EMS spokesperson, detailed that their team arrived by 9:34 a.m. Despite all efforts, the EMS officials declared the employee deceased by 10:20 a.m.
The incident took place on the airport’s tarmac, commonly referred to as the apron by airport personnel, a zone designated for aircraft parking. It’s worth noting that this wrongful death event hasn’t impacted the airport’s operations or flight schedules, mentioned Elizabeth Ferrer, an airport representative.
Expressing the airport’s condolences, Sam Haynes stated, “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s loved ones, friends, families, and colleagues, and we ask our community to keep them in their thoughts.”
This tragedy has raised concerns, especially since it’s the second time this year an employee faced a fatal accident at the airport. Earlier in April, a wrongful death occurred when an American Airlines staff member, while operating a ground service vehicle, collided with a jet bridge. Reports indicated potential mechanical issues with the vehicle. While the death was deemed an accident by the authorities, investigations are ongoing. Notably, a lawsuit has been filed against the Fort Worth-based airline for alleged negligence, intensifying the focus on workplace safety and the consequences of wrongful death incidents at the airport.
