At an early Tuesday morning Delta Air Lines repair facility in Georgia, two employees of the airline were slain and one injured, according to the company.
The event took place close to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at a Delta TechOps maintenance facility.
Official information on the deadly event, in which a tire exploded during removal from an aircraft, was scant at first. There was no quick update on the injured person.
The incident took place within the facility’s wheel and brake department, according to a statement from John Laughter, president and head of operations at Delta TechOps.
“I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 – Wheel & Brake Shop. Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured,” Laughter stated. “We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened.”
In a different statement, Delta stated that it was conducting a thorough investigation in conjunction with local authorities to ascertain the circumstances behind the occurrence.
“The Delta family is heartbroken at 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),” according to the statement. “We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
Read Also: Miami Man Allegedly Poses as Rideshare Driver, Accused of Raping Two Women
The mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Dickens, acknowledged that investigating teams are still at the scene and expressed his condolences to the families of the Delta workers.
According to Dickens’s social media statement, “I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, and I hope for their swift and full recovery.”
