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A tragic event unfolded at Denver International Airport in the United States when a passenger jet struck a person on the runway during its takeoff roll. The Airbus A321 aircraft, operated by Frontier Airlines, hit the individual who was on the tarmac as the plane prepared for departure to Los Angeles.

Fatal Collision and Fire

The incident occurred on the evening of May 8th. The impact resulted in the immediate death of the person on the runway. Shortly after, a brief fire erupted in one of the aircraft's engines. Firefighters responded swiftly and extinguished the flames.

Emergency Evacuation

The flight was carrying 224 passengers and 7 crew members. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the pilots made the decision to abort the takeoff and initiate emergency procedures.

Pilot-Controller Communication Revealed

Audio recordings of the communication between the flight crew and air traffic control have surfaced online. In the recording, the pilot can be heard stating, "Controller, Frontier 4345. We are stopped on the runway... We hit somebody... there's fire in the engine." The crew commander later reported smoke inside the cabin, necessitating an urgent evacuation of all passengers.

Passenger Safety and Investigation

Passengers were evacuated onto the runway via inflatable slides and transported to the terminal by special buses. Preliminary reports indicate that one passenger sustained minor injuries. All individuals on board underwent medical examinations following the incident.

Frontier Airlines has stated that they are cooperating with airport administration and security services to determine the cause of the accident. Investigations are currently being conducted by the Denver Police Department and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Officials are meticulously examining the airport's perimeter fencing and security systems to understand how the individual gained access to the active runway.

This incident highlights critical safety concerns at major airports and the importance of robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access to operational areas.

This story was reported by Infohub.kz.