Jermani Thompson: Airport baggage handler dies in FREAK accident after her hair got caught in BELT LOADER
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: On Tuesday, Aug. 30, Jermani Thompson, 26, an employee of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, died in a tragic incident. Thompson was unloading luggage for a Frontier Airlines flight at approximately 10.20 pm.
At this point, her hair became entangled in a belt loader. Although she was taken to Ochsner Kenner Medical Center shortly after the incident, Thompson succumbed to her severe injuries. The Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
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According to New York Post, the horrific death took place on the apron, where airplanes are loaded and unloaded. Meanwhile, the authorities are yet to give an explanation on how her hair got stuck, and what happened after the horrible incident. “We are heartbroken and are supporting her family and her friends as best as we are able. Please send your well wishes to everyone at our New Orleans station during this very difficult time,” said, Mike Hough, CEO of GAT Airline Ground Support to nola.com in a statement.
The airport management mourned the death of Jermani, The Sun reports, “We are deeply saddened about the tragic loss of GAT Airline Ground Support team member, Jermani Thompson," said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Further, he added, "The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport extends its sincere condolences to her family and friends, and also to our partners at GAT and Frontier Airlines. Jermani was a part of our Airport family, and we will continue to support one another in any way we can during this trying time."
Later, Frontier airlines also responded to the devastating incident, in an official statement, the company stated, “We extend our deepest condolences following the tragic death of a team member of our ground handling business partner at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Response from Jermani's family
In an interview with nola.com, her mother Angela Dorsey said, "She was my baby girl. Everybody loved her, she loved basketball." Further, she added, "I'm just lost for words. I can't even think." "She was the sweetest person. She was a hard worker who always went after her goals," said, Nichole Branch, Thompson's sister-in-law. Later, Thompson's former high school assistant basketball coach, Stasha Thomas-James responded to the tragic death of Thompson. "She was a great shooter, could shoot threes and played hard, played tough, she had a great attitude." said the coach.
Thompson's former coach at Hesston College, Daniel Harrison also had a lot to talk about her, "She was the kind of kid who was always smiling, a great teammate. She wasn't the biggest or the tallest. But whenever she went on the floor, she gave me everything she had. There was no quit in her, no matter what the score was." said Daniel.