A distressing incident unfolded at Salt Lake International Airport in Utah on January 1, where a 30-year-old man lost his life after breaching airport security measures.
(Photo : George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 18: People wait outside in the cold after being evacuated from the Salt Lake International Airport after an earthquake on March 18, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Accessing the Secure Ramp in Salt Lake Airport
Identified as Kyler Efinger of Park City, Interesting Engineering reported that the victim accessed the secure ramp area by illicitly utilizing an emergency exit door in the terminal.
After making his way onto the tarmac, Efinger reportedly sprinted to the southern section of the west runway, where deicing operations were underway. Disturbingly, he entered the engine of a commercial aircraft that was inactive at the time, despite being loaded with passengers.
The discovery of Efinger's lifeless body prompted an investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department's (SLCPD) Airport Division.
The security breach has raised concerns about the vulnerability of airport perimeters, particularly in emergency exit areas, and highlights the need for enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access to restricted zones.
Chronologically, the unfolding events on January 1 began at approximately 9:52 pm when a store manager within the airport alerted dispatchers at the Airport Control Center about a disturbance involving a passenger on the secured side of the terminal.
This triggered the commencement of an inquiry into the incident. In response to SLCPD officers' arrival, Airport Control relayed information that the individual had breached an emergency exit door.
A collaborative effort between SLCPD officers and Airport Operations personnel ensued as they embarked on a search for the man, leading to the revelation that he had gained entry to the airport's outdoor ramp area through the aforementioned emergency exit.
Retrieving the Body
Tracking down the man, SLCPD officers discovered him unconscious, partially inside a wing-mounted engine of an occupied commercial aircraft on the deicing pad.
The aircraft's engines were rotating, and the specific stage of engine operation is currently under investigation, as mentioned in a statement by SLCPD.
Following this, the man was safely retrieved from the engine's intake cowling. The scene was secured, life-saving procedures were initiated, and emergency medical services were promptly summoned.
Despite continuous life-saving measures, which included CPR and the administration of naloxone, the unfortunate outcome occurred at 10:15 pm, with the man succumbing to the situation at the scene.
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SLCPD officers are currently collaborating with the medical examiner's office to determine the precise cause and manner of death, and the investigation may involve obtaining a toxicology report. The airport has confirmed that the incident had no impact on the overall operation of the airport.
SLCPD is actively conducting an investigation, and simultaneous inquiries are being carried out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
While the NTSB has conveyed its ongoing process of "gathering information" about the incident, CNN has emphasized that the local police force is spearheading the investigation.
The incident's particulars indicate a potential deliberate act of sabotage or a case of suicide. This emphasizes the critical need to fortify security measures at airports globally and ensure the implementation of foolproof systems.
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