A ground marshaller at Montreal-Trudeau airport was seriously hurt after being hit by an aircraft during a pushback operation, according to local reports.
The airport signaller, whose name has not been released, reportedly stumbled Monday night before being struck by a French Bee Airbus A350 scheduled to fly to Paris, France, Radio Canada reported.
One woman who witnessed the incident said the man ended up beneath the aircraft while it was still in motion.
“Many [travelers] were screaming,” she told Radio Canada.
Montreal police confirmed the worker was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but officials declined to provide additional information about his condition or the circumstances.
Emergency vehicles quickly converged around the plane following the airport accident.
The French low-cost airline’s flight had been scheduled to depart Montreal-Trudeau at 6 p.m. local time, but the aircraft remained grounded for several hours and did not leave until after midnight Tuesday.
The flight is expected to arrive at Paris-Orly airport shortly after 1 p.m. local time in France.
“The precise circumstances of the incident have not yet been established,” a French Bee spokesperson said Monday, confirming the accident happened.
“French Bee is cooperating fully with Canadian authorities and the various parties involved to help establish the facts.
“The airline’s immediate priority is caring for those affected by the incident and supporting its passengers and crew.”
