A Frontier Airlines aircraft aborts takeoff at Denver International Airport after pilots report striking a person on the runway. Multiple outlets say the plane, bound for Los Angeles, is taking off late Friday when the crew communicates with air traffic control that they “just hit somebody,” and that an engine fire has started. Officials report passengers evacuate safely from the aircraft using emergency procedures, with NBC News citing 224 passengers and seven crew members evacuated. The airport says emergency response is ongoing and the runway where the person was struck remains closed while an investigation continues.
Accounts also describe smoke or fire associated with the collision and say the aircraft stops on the runway. Reports differ on some details, including whether the person is confirmed deceased, with at least one outlet describing the person dying and others stating only that the person was hit. The New York Times and others indicate that details about the person are limited while investigations proceed. Authorities continue to investigate how the individual entered the airfield and to determine contributing factors.
