A serious incident at Montreal-Trudeau Airport on 24th August left an airport worker with severe injuries after reportedly being struck by a French Bee Airbus A350 passenger jet. The aircraft was preparing to take off for Paris Orly Airport when the incident occurred as part of ground operations.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/frenchbee-plane-082526-1-106def7ccf1441678e8f08cb7c64c53c.jpg)
Around 7:30 p.m. local time, an emergency response was initiated following the accident, which airport officials described in a statement provided to local media including CBC, Pax News, and The Montreal Gazette. While the airport did not divulge specific details at the time, initial reports suggested that the individual involved, an airport employee who served as a runway marshal in his forties, sustained serious injuries after being hit by the aircraft.
According to authorities, preliminary investigations indicated that the Airbus may have been reversing when the collision occurred. The airport’s operations were notably affected by the incident, leading to disruption of multiple flights for several hours. However, normal services resumed the following day on 25th August.
The flight in question, operated by French Bee, was originally scheduled to depart a day earlier but experienced a delay due to technical difficulties. In a statement, the airline confirmed that the accident involved a pushback vehicle during ground operations. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft were reported to be safe and were receiving care from the airline’s staff as well as airport personnel.
One passenger aboard the flight recounted a disturbing scene shortly after the incident took place. She reported witnessing a man pass beneath the aircraft while it was in motion and described the immediate reaction of fellow passengers. “Many [passengers] were screaming,” she said, reflecting on the chaos that unfolded inside the cabin upon realising the gravity of the situation.
Following the accident, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) conveyed that the injured airport worker was promptly taken to hospital for treatment. The nature of his injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but officials emphasised their seriousness.
As a thorough investigation into the details surrounding the incident continues, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has stepped in to conduct an official inquiry. This independent agency is tasked with examining occurrences in the aviation sector to enhance safety measures and prevent future mishaps.
Air travel can often be a hectic experience, and this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols in airport operations. As investigations proceed, both passengers and airport staff await further clarity on how such an unfortunate event transpired.
For now, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured worker as the airport community comes together to support him. Meanwhile, French Bee has expressed gratitude for the swift response from emergency services and has committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
The occurrence has raised questions regarding the safety measures in place for ground personnel, emphasising the need for vigilance and adherence to protocol during busy airport operations. As travel resumes at Montreal-Trudeau Airport, there is a heightened awareness of the importance of safety for both staff and passengers alike.