The engineer was a “much-loved member” of the team, Virgin Atlantic tells PEOPLE
Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A 23-year-old aircraft engineer who worked for Virgin Atlantic died while maintenance testing the plane at Heathrow Airport
- The airline is conducting a safety investigation and working with authorities and the aircraft manufacturer to determine what happened
- Virgin Atlantic expressed heartbreak over the loss and is providing support to his family, friends, and colleagues
A young aircraft engineer died after being “crushed” while performing maintenance testing on a Virgin Atlantic aircraft at London’s Heathrow Airport.
“We are heartbroken to confirm that a much-loved member of our engineering team, has passed away,” a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic tells PEOPLE of the 23-year-old man. “Our thoughts are firmly with his family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and challenging time.”
The spokesperson adds that the airline company is “providing support to loved ones” and “sharing our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected.”
“The safety and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority, and we are devastated by this incident,” the spokesperson says. “We are working closely with relevant authorities and the aircraft manufacturer on the investigation to establish all facts. Out of respect for those involved and while the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide any further information at this stage.”
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The plane was reportedly a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Daily Mail.
The airline is conducting a safety investigation following the engineer’s death and will be working closely with relevant authorities and the aircraft manufacturer to understand what happened.
PEOPLE has reached out to Heathrow Airport for comment.
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