A Frontier Airlines plane struck and killed a pedestrian on a runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff Friday night. The incident caused an engine fire and forced the evacuation of 224 passengers and seven crew members via emergency slides.
The pedestrian, who jumped a perimeter fence, was hit just two minutes after entering the airport. The person is not believed to be an airport employee. Airport officials say 12 passengers suffered minor injuries, with five taken to local hospitals.
Frontier Airlines confirmed that flight 4345, an Airbus A321 en route to Los Angeles, aborted takeoff after smoke was reported in the cabin. The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. Runway 17L remains closed for investigation.