Investigation Launched After Death of American Airlines Worker Who Accidentally Drove Into Jet Bridge

An investigation is ongoing in the death of an American Airlines employee who crashed a ground service vehicle into a jet bridge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas on Thursday.

An airport spokesperson confirms to Complex that the incident occurred “outside of the terminal where aircraft park at their gates” and involved an airline employee who was on duty at the time of the crash.

“Our thoughts are with the employee’s loved ones and all those who have been impacted by this tragic event,” the spokesperson said in an email.

In a separate statement, an Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services rep confirmed their receipt of a call just after 2 p.m. local time on Thursday. EMS officials responded “and obtained a deceased-on-scene pronouncement of an adult from traumatic injuries,” a rep told Complex.

Corporal Destiny Silva of the Austin Police Department spoke with reporters at a press conference shortly after the incident, revealing that officers and EMS officials first arrived at the scene after being called about “a crash incident.” Per Silva, an airline employee who was operating a ground service vehicle had struck a jet bridge at the airport. Upon arrival, police and EMS officials located a man who had “obvious signs of trauma to his body.” The incident is being investigated as an accidental death, police said.

“This is a really tragic incident that happened here today,” Silva said, adding that there were “several witnesses” to the crash who were cooperating with the investigation.

Although police didn’t immediately confirm the airline for which the man worked, multiple reports have stated he worked for American Airlines. A statement included in an Associated Press report on the incident and credited to an American Airlines rep saw a spokesperson saying the company was “devastated by the accident involving a team member at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.”

Complex has also reached out to American Airlines and the Austin Police Department for additional comment. This story may be updated.