ORLANDO, Fla. — An investigation is ongoing after a Delta Air Lines worker died Thursday night at Orlando International Airport.
12:45 p.m. update:
The FAA has released more information after a Delta worker died while on the job at the Orlando International Airport.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed with Channel 9 that the Delta worker died after an aircraft towing vehicle, known as a “tug,” struck a passenger boarding bridge.
The incident happened around 10:55 p.m. on Thursday.
The FAA said no aircraft were involved in the incident, but passengers aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 2593 deplaned via the rear door and airstairs afterward.
Channel 9 has a crew working to gather more details and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
Original report:
A Delta Air Lines team member died while on the job at Orlando International Airport on Thursday.
A Delta spokesperson said the airline is working with local authorities as a full investigation into the incident gets underway.
The airline stated it is heartbroken by the loss and is focused on extending full support to the team member’s family and its Orlando team.
“The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of a team member while on the job at Orlando International Airport on the evening of May 7,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement. “We are focused on extending our full support to family and taking care of our Orlando team during this difficult time. We are working with local authorities as a full investigation gets underway to determine what occurred.”
Operations at the Delta Orlando station were paused on Thursday evening while work with investigators ensued.
This resulted in the cancellation of one flight departure that evening.
Customers affected by the cancellation were accommodated on other flights and Delta offered apologies for the delay in their travels.
A spokesperson for Orlando International Airport released the following statement to Channel 9:
“The MCO community is deeply saddened about the loss of a team member from one of our airline partners, a member of our extended airport family. We send our condolences to his family and friends.”
The Orlando Police Department released this statement and confirmed it is investigating the worker’s death.
“At this time, the Orlando Police Department is conducting a death investigation. Preliminary information suggests the incident was accidental in nature. The investigation is taking place within the airside terminal and is having minimal impact on airport operations.
To preserve the integrity of the investigation and out of respect for those involved, no additional details are being released at this time."
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