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Man hit and killed by plane on Austin, Texas, runway

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Killed by plane on Austin, Texas, runway.

Texas police and the FAA are investigating a security breach after a man who was not an airport employee was hit and killed by a plane on the runway at the Austin airport.

What were the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on May 7, 2021?

On May 7, 2021, tragedy struck at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas when a man was hit and killed by a Southwest Airlines plane on the runway.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 8:12 p.m. local time when the Boeing 737-700 was taxiing on its way to the runway for takeoff. The victim, identified as 51-year-old Eric Michael Diaz, had apparently breached the airport perimeter fence and made his way onto the runway, where he was hit by the plane.

Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, but unfortunately, Diaz was pronounced dead on impact. The incident caused significant disruption to flights at the airport, with many flights being delayed or diverted while the runway was cleared and investigations were carried out.

Officials from Southwest Airlines released a statement expressing their condolences to Diaz’s family and confirming that they were fully cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident. They also reported that the crew of the flight involved had been deeply affected by the incident and would be receiving support and counseling.

The airport also issued a statement expressing their condolences and reassurances that they were working with authorities to fully investigate the incident and ensure the safety of their passengers and employees.

The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of strict airport security and the dangers of attempting to breach it. Airport perimeters are heavily guarded and monitored for a reason, and any unauthorized access to runways or other restricted areas can have tragic consequences.

As investigations continue into the incident, our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Eric Michael Diaz, and to all those affected by this tragic event. It is our hope that lessons can be learned from this tragedy to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.