Dutch police say the man who was allegedly sucked into the running engine of a plane in Amsterdam was an employee who is believed to have climbed inside on purpose.
A man who died at Amsterdam airport is believed to have deliberately climbed into a plane’s engine, according to Dutch police.
The person, who has been identified as a male employee, is said to have boarded the KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190 jet as it prepared to depart from Schiphol Airport. Passengers and crew members reportedly witnessed the tragic death before emergency services rushed to the scene.
The incident occurred as the KLM aircraft was being pushed off the stand in preparation for departure to Denmark. Witnesses said there was an “infernal noise” as the person was sucked into the jet turbine. Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, one person said: “A lot of people saw it.”
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, which is leading the investigation, said: “The deceased man has been identified as an employee of a company operating at the airport. The investigation revealed that he had deliberately climbed into the engine, suggesting it was a suicide.” Out of respect for the victim and her loved ones, no further statements will be made.”
Images from the scene showed the KLM plane surrounded by fire engines and ambulances as emergency services rushed to the runway.
The plane, which can accommodate up to 104 passengers, was scheduled to take off for Billund, Denmark at 2:25 p.m. The crew had just finished delivering safety instructions to passengers on board, but over 80 people were then removed from the plane and questioned by military police following the horrific incident.
Some of the passengers who watched the moment unfold were considered “important witnesses”, Dutch outlet AD reported. A police spokesman told the newspaper: “They may be able to help us with the investigation.” Those likely to have been traumatized by what they witnessed were offered psychological support.
A replacement flight to the Danish city of Billund was arranged and took off around 21:30 last night. A spokesman said a different crew was flying the plane because the tragic incident had a “major impact” on the former staff. In a statement, KLM said: “We are currently looking after the passengers and staff who witnessed the incident at Schiphol. The circumstances are currently under investigation”.
The VNV pilots’ union said: “Our first concerns and thoughts are with those involved and their relatives. We are offering our cooperation and expertise as we investigate the exact cause.”
In a statement earlier yesterday, KLM said: “There was a terrible incident at Schiphol today in which a person ended up in a running aircraft engine. The person unfortunately died. We are welcoming passengers and staff who saw this at Schiphol. The circumstances are currently under investigation. Further information – as it becomes available – is being referred to the Royal Military Police.’
A statement from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) was released on the day of the incident: “Today there was a terrible incident where a person ended up in the engine of the plane. Our thoughts go out to the relatives and our thoughts to the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this. The Royal Military Police are currently investigating.
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