In a freak accident, an airport worker in Texas was killed after being sucked into a passenger plane engine. The worker’s death occurred at about 10.25 pm (local time) as a Delta Air Lines flight which had just arrived in San Antonio, Texas, from Los Angeles was taxiing to an arrival gate with one engine running when the worker was killed on Friday.

The employee, was “ingested” into an engine at San Antonio International Airport in Texas on Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said. It said that they are “in contact” with the Atlanta-based airline which is “in the information gathering process”. Delta Air Lines said it was “heartbroken”.

“Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,” it said. The airport worker was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company which several airlines contract to assist with ground handling operations. The company said in a statement to local media outlet KENS5 that it is “deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at San Antonio International Airport during a tragic incident in the late hours of Friday, June 23, 2023”.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time,” it said.