Pedestrian who leapt over Denver airport fence dies after being struck by Frontier Airlines jet, prompting engine fire and passenger evacuation

(SeaPRwire) –   A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane on the runway of Denver International Airport during takeoff, airport authorities reported, which also caused an engine fire and prompted passengers to evacuate.

The aircraft, en route from Denver to Los Angeles International Airport, “reported striking a pedestrian during takeoff at DEN at approximately 11:19 p.m. on Friday,” according to the airport’s official X account.

An airport spokesperson stated that the pedestrian, who had jumped over a perimeter fence, has died. The individual was hit two minutes after entering the airport grounds and is not believed to be an airport employee.

“We’re stopping on the runway,” the pilot announced to the control tower, as recorded on ATC.com. “We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.”

The pilot informed the air traffic controller they had “231 souls” onboard and that “an individual was walking across the runway.”

In response, the air traffic controller said they were “rolling the trucks now,” before the pilot reported, “We have smoke in the aircraft. We are going to evacuate on the runway.”

Frontier Airlines confirmed in a statement that flight 4345 was involved in the incident and noted that “smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted the takeoff.” It remained unclear whether the smoke originated from the collision with the pedestrian.

“The Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members,” the airline stated. “We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities.”

Passengers were subsequently evacuated using slides, and an emergency bus transported them to the terminal. An airport spokesperson indicated that 12 passengers sustained minor injuries and five were taken to local hospitals.

Denver International Airport confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board had been notified and that runway 17L, where the incident occurred, would remain closed during the investigation. The runway was expected to reopen later that day.