Federal labor investigators are looking into the overnight death of an airline maintenance technician killed in a crash between two cherry-picker machines at Denver International Airport, authorities confirmed Friday.
The man was working for United Airlines and was involved in a vehicle crash that resulted in his death, United spokesman Russell Carlton said. “We are working with the employee’s family and coworkers to provide them support during this time, and we are investigating the circumstances of the accident,” Carlton said.
DIA officials declined to provide information.
A preliminary Denver Police investigation found that two employees were driving separate cherry-picker-type lifts in the 7400 block of Vandriver Street on DIA property, according to Sgt. Jay Casillas. One of the lifts stopped for an unknown reason, and the second crashed into the first, trapping the operator of the first lift. He ultimately was freed and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are still investigating, Casillas said.
U.S. Occupational Health and Safety officials will investigate the fatality, agency spokeswoman Tiffany Koebel said. Company officials “have six months to complete .”
