A British Airways engineer is battling for survival after plunging 20 feet from an aircraft onto the concrete at Heathrow Airport in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene on Vanguard Way shortly after 2am on December 7 to transport the injured man to hospital.
The worker, whose condition remains serious, had been carrying out checks on the auxiliary power unit located in the tail section of a jet stationed within a hangar at BA's Engineering Base when the accident occurred.
Both British Airways and the Health & Safety Executive have now opened separate investigations into the incident.
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A source described the incident as exceptionally uncommon, stating it had "sent shockwaves through the BA community".
"The mechanic was assessing the safety of a jet in a routine inspection when he suddenly fell at least 20ft onto concrete," the insider continued.
The engineer was characterised as a highly regarded professional with an "impeccable background," and colleagues are now anxiously awaiting news of his recovery.
"He was a trusted engineer with an impeccable background and an investigation will establish how this could have happened," the source added.
An engineer is in critical condition after falling from a British Airways jet | PA"It really didn't look good and everyone is saying their prayers for him," the insider told The Sun.
British Airways issued a statement following the incident in which they expressed concern for the injured worker.
"Our thoughts are with our colleague and we're supporting them, their family and their colleagues. Safety is always our highest priority and we're assisting the authorities with their enquiries,” it read.
The London Ambulance Service confirmed they received the call at 2.07am to respond to the accident.
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The incident was said to have 'sent shockwaves through the BA community'
| PAThey then immediately deployed an ambulance crew, advanced paramedic, incident response officer and a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance.
"Our first paramedics arrived on scene in approximately four minutes.
“We treated a man at the scene and took him to a major trauma centre as a priority," a spokesman said.
The Health & Safety Executive confirmed: "We are aware and making enquiries."
Sunday’s incident came just hours before Heathrow Airport was rocked by dramatic scenes as armed police stormed a multi-storey car park.
They were responding to an alleged “pepper spary attack” that saw one man arrested at the scene, who was later released under investigation while the Metropolitan Police continued their enquiries.
On Monday, a 24-year-old man from Lambeth was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault and a 23-year-old woman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.
The London Ambulance Service treated 21 people with injuries, including a three-year-old girl. Five of the injured were taken to hospital, but their conditions are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
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