Aircraft strikes walker on runway during departure from Denver airfield

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A flight aborted its takeoff from Denver International Airport late Friday after striking a person on the runway, with at least one passenger injured, according to the airport and US media reports.

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Denver International Airport said in a statement that “Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff” at around 11:19 pm (0519 GMT Saturday).

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The person hit “was at least partially consumed by one of the engines,” ABC News reported, citing an unidentified official. Their condition was not immediately clear.

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The airport said “there was a brief engine fire that was promptly extinguished” by the Denver Fire Department.

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“We’re stopping on the runway, we just hit somebody, we have an engine fire… There was an individual walking across the runway,” a pilot told air traffic controllers, according to audio from ATC.com.

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Emergency crews responded to the scene and bused passengers to the terminal, the airport said on X.

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According to ABC, at least one passenger suffered a minor injury.

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Frontier Airlines told AFP that the Airbus A321 was departing for Los Angeles International Airport when the incident occurred.

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“Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution,” Frontier said in a statement.

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The jet was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, according to Frontier.

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“We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities. We are deeply saddened by this event,” the airline added.

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The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified, and runway 17L at Denver International Airport will remain closed during investigation, according to the airport.

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AFP

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