Security Guard Drove Car onto Taxiway and Sped by Multiple Airplanes. Driver Had ‘Possible Medical Emergency,’ Airport Says

A security guard caused chaos at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, after driving a car onto a taxiway and speeding past multiple airplanes. The alarming incident took place on December 8th around 1:12 p.m. local time when the contract security guard, who was meant to be stationed at an airfield security checkpoint, allegedly drove a vehicle on the taxiway at a high speed.

The airport spokesperson, AnnaSophia Servin, confirmed that the individual behind the wheel was quickly detained without further incident and evaluated at the scene. According to reports, the driver was believed to be experiencing a possible medical emergency. The footage captured by witnesses shows a white sedan racing down the aircraft-designated path while airport workers shouted and cursed in shock as the car passed by several planes.

In the video, airport workers can be seen yelling and signaling for the driver to stop the vehicle, highlighting the potential danger of a collision with an aircraft. One airport worker who witnessed the incident mentioned that if they hadn’t intervened by signaling for a plane to stop, a collision could have occurred, posing a significant risk to both the car and the aircraft.

Air traffic controller recordings revealed that the controller had to alert a Southwest Airlines plane about the high-speed car chase on the taxiway, leading to all aircraft being held in position until officials arrived. The situation escalated as the male driver exited his car and attempted to barricade himself, adding to the confusion and urgency of the scene.

Following the tense moments on the taxiway, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies swiftly detained the driver without any further disturbances. Due to the erratic behavior exhibited by the driver, a medical assessment was requested by the authorities from the Orange County Fire Authority, and the individual was determined to be experiencing a possible medical emergency.

After the detainment, the security guard was promptly transferred to a local hospital for further evaluation, ensuring there was no disruption to the airport’s operations. As of the latest update on December 11th, the driver remains under medical observation while an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The employee responsible has been placed on suspension pending a final review of the situation.

The incident at John Wayne Airport serves as a reminder of the critical importance of swift response and effective coordination in emergencies within airport premises. The quick reaction of airport workers, air traffic controllers, and law enforcement personnel helped to avert a potential disaster and ensured the safety of passengers, aircraft, and airport staff during the security breach incident.