A ground crew worker at Montreal Trudeau International Airport has died hours after being struck by an aircraft backing up on a runway.
The flight, operated by French bee, collided with the man at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, minutes before it was set to take off for Paris.
The man was sent to hospital with serious injuries, according to Montreal police. Officials later said he was in life-threatening condition in hospital.
In a statement to Global News, the airport authority said they are deeply saddened by the passing of the employee and their thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers confirmed on Facebook that one of its members had died after being seriously injured at the airport Monday evening.
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The union said the man, identified as Oscar Robayo, was a ramp agent with Samsic and a member of IAM Union Local 2309, District 140.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues and fellow IAM members during this incredibly difficult time,” the union wrote.
French bee confirmed in a statement that a serious incident occurred during ground operations before the departure of one of its flights.
“The accident involved the aircraft and a pushback vehicle operating as part of the ground handling process,” the airline said in a statement. “The precise circumstances surrounding the accident have not yet been established. French bee is cooperating fully with the Canadian authorities and all relevant parties to assist in establishing the facts.”
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Officials say staff and passengers on board the plane who witnessed the event received support resources following the event.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon also offered his condolences to Robayo’s family and colleagues and stressed Transport Canada would appoint a ministerial observer to keep him informed as the investigation progresses.
“This is a difficult and painful time for many,” he said in a post on X.
Officers and crime scene investigators were on site to determine the cause of the incident.
The investigation has since been handed over to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. CNESST, the province’s workplace safety board is also conducting a separate investigation.
—with files from The Canadian Press
Sloppy mistakes by all involved.
I don’t think it happened the way it was described on the article.
@Try this. All you have to say is “I wish the workers family the best.” Good freaking grief.
One of the silliest posts by Global not checking the garbage they repost from Canadian Press. A plane about to take off, backs up on a runway? I highly doubt it. They tend to only back up when pushing back from the gate. And there is a tug pushing it.
A worker is wandering around on the runway? Never seen that one before. More likely again, at the gate. To wander past a parked plane happens frequently. Not paying attention to the plane backing up, and the tug driver not noticing someone wandering by. More likely the cause of the accident.