One Rugrat’s Wild Ride at Atlanta International
Joe Cortez August 03, 2019
A two-year-old child got a first-hand look at how airport luggage systems operate when he wandered onto a conveyor belt and got whisked away into the secure zone. TSA agents and first responders were quick to retrieve the child and transport him to the hospital, where he was treated for a fractured hand and abrasions.
A parent’s worst nightmare came true at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) when a two-year-old decided to go for a ride on a luggage conveyor belt. Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV reports the incident took place on Wednesday, July 24.
Edith Vega was at the airport with her toddler son, preparing for a trip that day. When she put him down to print her boarding pass at the Spirit Airlines kiosk, the curious child went behind an unmanned customer service desk and ultimately wandered onto the luggage conveyor belt. After a moment, he ultimately climbed onto the belt and was sent back into the baggage inspection zone at the airport.
“When I tried to go after him, it was the end of the machine,” Vega told WSB-TV. “He just went a long ride away. I couldn’t even catch up.”
The toddler – along with several bags – were sent back to the secure Transportation Security Administration screening area. Video released by the airport shows the child climbing over bags on the belt, before going into what appeared to be an X-ray machine for checked bags.
TSA agents were quick to notice the child and stop the belts so he could be removed from them. The agents took him to the airport police precinct office, where Atlanta Fire Department paramedics administered first aid and transported the child to a local hospital. The five-minute ride ended with the toddler suffering cuts and a broken hand.
In a statement to CNN, Spirit said they were working with the airport and TSA officials to ensure that proper protocols were followed. Both the airport and the airline wished the family “the best in their recovery.”
[Featured Image: Atlanta Airport]
Rjpjr - TSA is not responsible for the kid getting on the belt. That happened at an airline counter.
Leash and straightjacket with a bell around his neck. Of course, the followup article will be about the lawsuit in which TSA is accused of creating an environment that caused bodily injury and mental anguish to mother and child........
I bet she keeps that kid on a leash from now on. Probably until he’s 18
Bad mama! A 2-year old should never be out of sight long enough to get into such danger.
A parent's worst nightmare? It was their fault for not watching their kid.