Airport Sign Kills Boy: Massive Sign Crushes Family at Birmingham Airport
An airport sign has killed a boy at Birmingham Airport after it fell from its placing on Friday crushing the 10 year old and injuring his fellow family members.
Luke Bresette, 10, was critically injured by the sign, which firefighters have estimated weighed between 300 and 400 pounds, and was pronounced dead later at Children's of Alabama.
Two other children were also injured in the tragic accident, as well as their mother, Heather Bresette. Bresette was rushed to University Hospital where she has since been reported to be in critical condition by spokeswoman Nicole Wyatt.
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One eye-witness, Albert Osorio, has told al.com that he saw the sign fall on the family, describing that there was a loud bang and screaming from the family as well as nearby witnesses. Osorio said that it took himself and five others to lift the sign off of the crushed victims.
The incident took place at about 1.30 p.m. local time on Friday in the area prior to going through airport security.
Although officials are still investigating the cause of the sign falling, the airport is reported to have completed the first phase of a more than $200 million modernization project, and opened newly renovated concourses just a week before.
Birmingham's Mayor William Bell has released a statement saying he is offering the city's "full support to the Airport Authority as they investigate what has occurred this afternoon," as well as requesting that public safety staff "assist this family in their time of need in any way possible as they grapple with what has happened."
TSA officials have confirmed all other flight information signs are now being checked to ensure they are firmly secured, and that investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
