December 12, 2011
An elderly woman fell from stairs at the Los Angeles International Airport on November 22, reports Southern Oregon’s Mail Tribune. Her head struck the pavement.
The accident took place around 8:30 a.m. after passengers got off a Horizon Flight from Medford and were climbing to the top of the stairs leading to a jet bridge.
"It sounded like a watermelon hitting the ground," remembers a 64-year-old Grants Pass resident. "It was such a horrific accident. It will stay with me for the rest of my life."
He thinks that the stairs used for planes are difficult for the elderly to negotiate.
A guard rail was not engaged at the top of the stairs, which he believes is the reason for the accident.
There was disagreement over whether the airport or the airlines was responsible for maintaining the safety of the stairs.
Medical personnel treated the passenger, who was then taken to an area hospital.
An investigation is underway, but privacy rules prevented officials from disclosing the condition of the passenger or any information about her, including where she is from.
"Unless the passenger agrees to speak, we can't give out her information," the official said.
Read more.
How do you think this airport accident could have been avoided?
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