News

Actions

Police: TSA employee jumped to their death at Orlando airport

Police: TSA employee jumped to their death at Orlando airport
Posted at 12:46 PM, Feb 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-02 07:54:43-05

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Security checkpoints at Florida's busiest airport were brought to a temporary halt on Saturday when some passengers rushed through a checkpoint after a person fatally jumped from a hotel balcony inside the airport.

A spokeswoman for Orlando International Airport told television station WKMG on Saturday that the passengers were returned for a second examination in "an abundance of caution" after some passengers got through the checkpoints without being screened properly.

The Orlando Police Department tweeted that the incident was triggered by a man jumping from the hotel located inside the airport into the atrium where passengers wait to get through security.

The man in his 40s was a TSA employee, according to Orlando Police.

The affected shuttles lead to half the gates at the airport, and the standstill caused major delays for passengers.

"We ask that you have patience with airport personnel as they work through this tragic incident," the Orlando Police Department tweeted.

Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said the rest of the airport was operating normally.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can reach them around the clock at 1-800-273-8255.