American Eagle mechanic, 35, dies after being crushed by aircraft machinery at Chicago O'Hare
An airline ground support mechanic has died from injuries after getting crushed by aircraft machinery at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, American Airlines representative Minnette Velez Conty confirmed to USA TODAY.
A Cook County Medical Examiner's report shows a 35-year-old man who worked for Envoy Air – a subsidiary of American Airlines that flies under the brand American Eagle – died Sunday as the result of multiple injuries related to getting crushed by an aircraft driveable pushback apparatus on hangar 764 at O'Hare. Chicago police reports confirmed the Medical Examiner's information.
The man was found unresponsive around 2 p.m. and transported to AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead less than two hours later, Chicago Police spokesperson Kellie Bartoli told USA TODAY.
Neither American nor local officials provided the man's name, though a GoFundMe page identified him as Jijo George. According to the fundraising page set up for his family, his wife Annie is expecting their second child, due next month. The couple also has a daughter who turns two on Christmas Eve.
"He immigrated to the US 17 years ago and worked hard to build a life, not just for himself, but for the family," read the GoFundMe page description. "The family is devastated at the loss of their beloved and cherished father, husband, son, and brother."
Conty said the airline is "providing support to the family and our employees to help them through this loss" and is being investigated by the company's safety organization.
“We reiterate our commitment to safety and security as we conscientiously maintain policies, processes and systems to achieve the highest levels of safety in the workplace," Envoy's statement added.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago O'Hare airport worker dies after getting crushed by machinery
