A ground crew worker at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport has died after being struck by an aircraft during ground operations, prompting investigations by Canadian authorities. The worker was initially reported to be in critical, life-threatening condition after the incident Monday evening.
The accident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, when a French Bee Airbus A350 was being prepared for departure to Paris. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft was backing up during a pushback operation when it struck the worker.
The worker was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died. Airport authorities expressed condolences to the worker’s family, friends and colleagues, while support services were made available to employees and passengers who witnessed the incident.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating the incident, while Employment and Social Development Canada and workplace-safety authorities are also examining whether required safety procedures were followed.
Montreal police initially attended the scene with crime-scene investigators. The case was subsequently treated as a workplace accident, with investigators working to establish the exact circumstances that led to the collision.
The incident has renewed attention on safety procedures during aircraft pushback and other ground-handling operations, which require close coordination between pilots, ground crews and personnel responsible for guiding aircraft movements.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation continues.
Swifteradio.com
