KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 – Two Delta Airlines employees were killed and a third was seriously injured yesterday when a tire burst during recovery of one of the airline’s planes while it was being unloaded at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on Tuesday during maintenance work at the airport, according to a report in the British tabloid newspaper. The sun yesterday.
The report, citing ABC affiliate WSB-TV, said the tire exploded as it was being removed, killing two airline employees – a Delta employee and a contractor – while another Delta employee was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The airline released a statement confirming the deaths of two of its employees.
“The Delta family is heartbroken over the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance Facility (TOC 3),” the airline said.
“We have pledged our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
“The Delta family is grateful for the quick response of first responders and medical teams on the scene.”
According to flight logs obtained by WSB-TV, the plane arrived in Atlanta on Sunday evening from Las Vegas.
An investigation to determine the cause of the tire explosion is underway
