Baggage Handler Killed In Accident At Detroit Metro Airport
ROMULUS (WWJ) - A contract worker for American Airlines has died following an accident at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The accident happened Friday morning at the North Terminal gate D-32 as a flight was preparing to leave for Dallas.
According to an American Airlines spokesman, the worker was hurt while loading luggage onto the plane with a belt loader. Prospect Airport Services later said, in a statement, that the man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead
It wasn't immediately clear how exactly the worker was injured. An investigation by Airport Police is underway.
His name has not been released.
The accident happened before passengers boarded the plane. The flight was delayed for about 30 minutes.
"Words cannot express how incredibly saddened we are by today's tragedy which resulted in the loss of a dedicated Prospect team member. We have never experienced such a devastating loss in our nearly 50 years of providing aviation support services. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and co-workers during this extremely difficult time," said Prospect's president, Vicki Strobel.
Grief counseling services have been made available to co-workers and family members.