Three Killed and Multiple Injured in Hangar Collapse at Boise Airport
Tragedy struck at Boise Airport in Idaho’s capital city on Wednesday evening when a privately owned hangar under construction collapsed, resulting in the death of three individuals and leaving nine others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. MT on the edge of the airport’s airfield, at the intersection of West Rickenbacker and Luke streets.
City officials revealed that the collapse of the metal structure prompted an immediate investigation into the cause of the incident. The Boise Fire Department, responsible for leading the investigation, stated that the collapse was a significant event that affected the entire building’s framework. “It was fairly catastrophic,” remarked Aaron Hummel, operations chief for the Boise Fire Department, during a news conference held shortly after the incident.
Out of the nine survivors, five were in critical condition and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. However, the identities of those who lost their lives and sustained injuries have not been disclosed to the public at this time.
The building under construction was not affiliated with the city and did not interfere with airport operations. Although details regarding the construction company responsible for the hangar were not provided during the news conference, it is clear that this was not an airport project.
First responders were quick to arrive at the scene and worked tirelessly to secure and rescue victims in the aftermath of the devastating collapse. According to Hummel, all individuals in the vicinity have been accounted for. However, efforts are being made by the Boise police to assist with the reunification of affected family members.
Rebecca Hupp, the airport director, emphasized during the news conference that the construction of the hangar was not part of any airport-related endeavors. Thus, airport operations remained unaffected by the tragedy.
The incident caused traffic congestion near Boise Airport on I-84, prompting the Idaho State Police to issue warnings and advise motorists to exercise caution while driving through the area.
As the investigation progresses, additional information will be provided to shed light on the cause of the hangar collapse. In the meantime, the community of Boise mourns the loss of three lives and hopes for a swift recovery for those injured in this tragic event.
This article was written with contributions from Melissa Alonso and Chimaine Pouteau of CNN.
