Frontier Airlines Flight Hits and Kills Trespasser on Denver Runway

A Frontier Airlines flight struck and killed a person who breached security at Denver International Airport Friday night.

Air traffic control audio captured the pilot saying, 'We just hit somebody.' The aircraft, an Airbus A321, was taking off for Los Angeles when the impact occurred at around 11 p.m. local time.

Fire erupted in the right engine after the collision. All 224 passengers evacuated via emergency slides. Twelve reported minor injuries; five were taken to hospitals.

The trespasser had scaled a perimeter fence two minutes before the impact, authorities said. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the individual deliberately breached security and ran onto the active runway.

The pilot reported stopping on the runway and stated there were '231 souls on board,' including seven crew members.

The runway remains closed as the FAA and NTSB investigate. Frontier Airlines expressed deep sadness over the event.