A plane aborted takeoff from Denver International Airport late Friday after colliding with a person on the runway, injuring at least one passenger, according to the airport and US media sources.
Denver International Airport said in a statement that “Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff” around 11:19 p.m. (0519 GMT Saturday).
According to ABC News, the individual impacted “was at least partially consumed by one of the engines,” quoting an unidentified official. Their condition was not immediately obvious.
According to the airport, the Denver Fire Department responded quickly to a minor engine fire.
“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.
The airport reported on X that emergency teams reacted and bused passengers to the terminal. At least one passenger sustained minor injuries, according to ABC.
Frontier Airlines told AFP that the Airbus A321 was departing for Los Angeles International Airport when the incident occurred.
“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.
The plane was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members, according to Frontier.
“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.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been contacted, and runway 17L at Denver International Airport will remain blocked throughout the inquiry, according to the airport.
