A female airline worker has been hospitalized and is currently in critical condition after suffering a 16-foot fall from an airport aerobridge in Sydney, Australia. Reportedly, the woman was placed in an induced coma after her body hit the tarmac, suffering serious injuries.
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According to 7News Australia, the incident took place at Sydney Airport on Saturday, May 3, at around 12:30 p.m. A Qantas Airline employee, a woman in her 40s, reportedly fell from a bridge at T3 Domestic Terminal. The woman was transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and was placed in an induced coma. Reportedly, she suffered head injuries, as per News.com.au.
A Sydney Airport spokeswoman shared a statement with the aforementioned outlets, addressing the incident.
"They were attended to by first-aid responders and transferred by ambulance to the hospital for further treatment," the statement read. "Safe Work NSW has also been notified. Our focus is on the welfare of the injured staff member and assisting Safe Work NSW with their inquiries. We have also made our Employee Assistance Program available to all precinct workers for counselling and support services."
Further Information
The spokeswoman added that an Employee Assistance Program was made available to all workers. Everyone who requires it will receive counselling and support services. The statement clarified that "aerobridges are subject to frequent inspections and are serviced as part of a scheduled systematic preventative maintenance program."
A Qantas Airlines spokesperson shared a statement with PEOPLE, detailing the incident, similar to the statement shared by Sydney Airport. The statement confirms that the worker was part of the Qantas customer service team.
"A Qantas airport customer service team member was injured in an incident at Sydney Airport on Saturday and our focus is on supporting them at this time," the statement read. "Sydney Airport and Qantas will be assisting Safe Work NSW with their investigation."
In a similar incident, an airline worker in Indonesia fell out of an open aircraft door after the airstairs were accidentally removed. According to PYOK, back in May 2024, a video shared online shows the ground worker stepping out of an aircraft before takeoff, falling onto the tarmac. Product of a miscommunication, the worker received medical treatment and remained in good condition.
