This past Wednesday, it was reported by officials with the New Orleans airport that one woman, aged 26, had died as the result of a belt loader catching and entangling her hair into the machinery while she tried to unload luggage from a plane, as stated by local media outlets.
26-year-old Jermani Thompson died Tuesday evening at roughly 10:00 pm local time while working to unload a Frontier Airlines plane at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, explained a spokesperson to Fox 8.
“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,” explained a spokesperson for Frontier Airlines in a statement handed to Fox 8.
The horrible freak accident took place while on the apron, where the planes park while waiting for refueling, boarding, maintenance, and the transferring of luggage.
Local authorities pronounced Thompson dead soon after moving her to a nearby hospital.
In a statement to Nola.com, Thompson’s mother stated that her daughter was a talented basketball player who had competed with Tougaloo College in Mississippi and Hesston College in Kansas.
“She was my baby girl,” stated Angela Dorsey to Nola.com as part of a Wednesday interview. “Everybody loved her.”
“I’m just lost for words,” she stated. “I can’t even think.”
Dorsey went on to state the outlet that in the wake of graduating with a sociology associates degree from Tougaloo College, her daughter had the dream of trying to play for the WNBA.
The previous women’s Basketball coach at Hesston, Daniel Harrison, described Thompson as an amazing teammate and “the kind of kid who was always smiling.”
“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,” Harrison stated to the outlet.
A spokesperson for GAT Airline Ground Support officially confirmed that the company had employed Thompson and released their own statement.
“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,” stated the CEO of GAT Airline Ground Support, as reported by Fox 8.
Nichole Branch, Thompson’s sister-in-law, stated to Nola.com that Thompson was a nice person and a hard worker who always chased after her goals.
“She went to work one morning and never made it home,” stated Branch. “This is just so unreal right now.”
There are still many unanswered questions for Thompson’s relatives surrounding her death.
As stated by Nola.com, New Orleans Airport Director of Aviation Kevin Dolliole stated his condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers.
“Jermani was part of our airport family, and we will continue to support one another in any way we can during this trying time,” stated Dolliole.