A worker at California’s John Wayne Airport has passed away after being fatally injured by an exploding tire.
The incident happened right around 11:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Two workers were actually at the site, working to repair a giant tire. It was allegedly about four feet tall. It was not an aircraft tire, but the tire for a jet bridge that allowed passengers to enter a plane from the terminal.
Reports called the accident “bizarre” and did not tell why the tire exploded. However, they did say that one worker died from their injuries, while the second did not even want medical treatment after the accident. They also said that the explosion as the tire burst was enough to make the workshop sprinklers go off.
The airport did not have to shut down, and most people likely did not know what happened.
Technically, neither person actually worked for the airport. They were both employed by JBT, a local contractor. The California branch of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is going to investigate the accident to find out what caused the incident, why it happened and if anything could have been done differently to prevent it.
Freak accidents like this show just how fragile life can be, even for workers who believe they are in relatively safe professions. Risks are everywhere, and things often happen without warning. All it takes is being in the wrong place at the wrong time when something goes sideways.
If you lose a loved one in a fatal workplace accident, you may be able to seek financial compensation. Make sure you know your rights.
