Delta employee dies after tug crashes into jet bridge at Orlando International Airport

ORLANDO, Fla. —

A Delta employee died while on the job at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Thursday, according to officials.

The medical examiner said the person's death has been ruled an accident. The cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration said passengers had to be deplaned after a tug struck the jet bridge at MCO, where the plane was parked. The employee appears to have been on the tug.

Delta said operations at MCO were paused while officials investigated, and one flight was canceled.

“We are focused on extending our full support to the family and taking care of our Orlando team during this difficult time. We are working with local authorities as a full investigation gets underway to determine what occurred,” Delta said in a statement.

MCO officials said they were deeply saddened by the loss.

“The MCO community is deeply saddened by the loss of an airport staff member, and we send our condolences to his friends and family,” MCO officials said.

The Orlando Police Department said it is conducting a death investigation and said the incident appears to be "accidental in nature."

"The investigation is taking place within the airside terminal and is having minimal impact on airport operations," OPD said.

Witnesses who were on nearby planes told Gulf Coast News sister station WESH 2, that there was a lot of confusion. One plane sat with passengers aboard for about three hours.

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