A tragic incident occurred at Hong Kong International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, February 6, 2024. A ground worker lost his life during an aircraft towing operation.
The deceased, a 34-year-old man from Jordan, was an employee of China Aircraft Services. He died on the spot after falling from a tow truck and being run over by the plane it was towing.
Around 3 a.m., the Hong Kong Police Force received a distress call regarding an unconscious man lying on an airport taxiway, a vital area for ground operations. Emergency services declared the man dead at the scene, citing severe injuries.
Initial investigations point to the worker sitting in the tow truck’s passenger seat without a secured seat belt when he fell from the vehicle.
The driver of the tow truck, a 60-year-old man, has been taken into custody on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.
The incident prompted immediate responses from the Airport Authority and China Aircraft Services. Both organizations reiterated their commitment to employee safety and extended their condolences to the victim’s family.
In response to the tragedy, the Airport Authority is contemplating revising its safety protocols to better protect its employees.
Ground operations at airports, such as towing, fueling, and maintenance, abide by stringent local and international standards. The victim’s employer, China Aircraft Services, has been a significant provider of these services since 1994, catering to numerous airline clients.
Hong Kong International Airport, a pivotal hub for both passenger and cargo flights, is now reevaluating its safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, asserting that the safety of its workforce remains a paramount concern.
The Airport Air Freight Employees’ Association, along with the broader airport community, have expressed their grief over the incident, offering support to the deceased worker’s family.
