Frontier Airlines plane strikes and kills pedestrian

"Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff. Passengers were then safely evacuated via slides as a matter of precaution. The airline said it was "deeply saddened" by the event. ABC News reported that the person struck was "at least partially consumed" by one of the craft's engines, leading to a brief fire."

"DEN can confirm the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway, the airport said in a statement. The pedestrian is deceased, and is not believed to be an employee of the airport nor have they been identified. The airport has examined the fenceline and found it to be intact."

"The collision happened around 11:19 p.m. local time as the aircraft prepared to take off to California. The Airbus A321 was at the time carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. Airport authorities said the majority of those passengers have since taken off for Los Angeles on a new Frontier flight."

A Frontier Airlines Airbus A321 bound for Los Angeles struck a pedestrian crossing the runway at about 11:19 p.m. local time while preparing to take off. Smoke was reported in the cabin and the pilots aborted the takeoff. Passengers were evacuated via slides as a precaution. The pedestrian was reported to have jumped the perimeter fence and was hit two minutes later while crossing the runway. The pedestrian died and was not believed to be an airport employee and had not been identified. Twelve people reported minor injuries, and five were taken to local hospitals. The aircraft carried 224 passengers and seven crew members, and most passengers later departed for Los Angeles on a new Frontier flight.

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