An airport worker was critically injured Monday night after being struck by a passenger jet on the tarmac at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Police stated that preliminary information suggests the aircraft may have been backing up when the incident occurred.
The accident happened shortly before the scheduled departure of a flight bound for Paris. A passenger on board recounted witnessing a person pass under the moving aircraft, adding that "many were screaming."
Emergency services were deployed to the airport around 7:30 p.m. Airport operations have continued, though passengers have been advised to confirm their flight schedules with their respective airlines. The case has been referred to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for investigation.
The airline involved was French Bee. The flight, originally slated for a 6 p.m. departure, did not take off until after midnight on Tuesday, according to reports. A spokesperson for French Bee confirmed the airline is cooperating with Canadian authorities to establish the facts of the incident. The airline stated that its immediate priority is supporting those affected by the event and its passengers and crew.