64-Year-Old Man Injured After Plane Wing at Chicago O'Hare Airport Collides with Aircraft Tug Truck
The aircraft's wing "struck a tug while approaching the gate" on Saturday night, leaving the man with what police are describing as "head and lower body injuries"
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An aerial view of Chicago O'Hare International Airport in May 2019A man was hospitalized this weekend after the tug truck he was operating at Chicago O'Hare International Airport was struck by the wing of an aircraft.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, around 6:58 p.m., a 64-year-old man "attempted to cross the taxiway" at the airport when the wing of an aircraft "struck" his tug truck, before the vehicle flipped over and pinned him underneath, the Chicago Police Department shared in a statement with PEOPLE.
The man, whose name has not been released, has since been "stabilized" after he was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition.
"The victim sustained head and lower body injuries," police say. "There are no reported injuries to the passengers of the aircraft. Area Five Detectives are investigating."
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
Planes parked outside of O'Hare International Airport on May 9, 2024In a statement on its website, the Federal Aviation Administration added that the flight was Air Wisconsin Flight 6181, which "struck a tug while approaching the gate" around 7:35 p.m. local time.
Passengers then "deplaned" and were "bussed" to the terminal, per the FAA. The Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft arrived in Chicago from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in Michigan. Footage shared by WGN News shows vehicles responding to the scene following the tug vehicle coming into contact with the aircraft's wing.
American Airlines has also confirmed that the aircraft — American Eagle flight 6181 — was operated by Air Wisconsin and heading from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport to Chicago when it had come "into contact with a tug on an active taxiway" after landing safely on Saturday.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident," the airline said in a statement to PEOPLE, sharing that no injuries were reported among customers or crew members.
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As for the vehicle itself, it was a United Airlines tug, according to the airline. United noted that the vehicle "made contact with another airline's aircraft while it was taxiing" in statement.
United has also shared with PEOPLE that it is "ensuring" the employee "receives any necessary support and care."
The incident will also be investigated by the FAA, the agency revealed on its website.
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