An investigation is underway following the tragic death of a 39-year-old ground handler at Montreal airport. A passenger on the Paris-bound flight, Matthieu Douvenou, recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing the fatal pushback incident on his in-flight screen. Douvenou described seeing the tarmac worker stumble as the plane suddenly reversed, causing a shockwave felt by passengers.
The victim, identified as Oscar Robayo by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), worked as a ramp agent with Samsic, a company providing baggage handling and passenger services at the airport. The incident involved a French Bee airline plane scheduled to depart for Paris at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
French Bee issued a statement to CBC News indicating that the exact circumstances of the accident, which occurred during the aircraft pushback operation, are still under investigation. Emergency measures were activated around 7:30 p.m., and Robayo was swiftly transported to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The airport authority expressed deep sorrow over the loss, referring to the incident as a “tragic workplace accident.” Passengers onboard the flight felt a noticeable impact as the plane shifted during the incident, leading to a sense of panic among travelers. Douvenou, still in Montreal, shared his ongoing struggle with the haunting memories of the event, causing him unease about flying.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed awareness of the incident and deployed a team to investigate further. The federal Labour Program initiated an investigation into Samsic Assistance Canada Inc., the victim’s employer, to assess compliance with health and safety regulations. Both the airport and French Bee have pledged full cooperation with the authorities in the investigation.
The airport has taken steps to provide support to employees and passengers affected by the tragedy. Despite the distressing experience, efforts are being made to ensure the well-being of those impacted by the unfortunate event.