Airport Panel Falls on Family

On Friday, March 22, a flight information panel at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport fell on a family, killing a ten-year-old boy and injuring his mother and two siblings.

Luke Bresette, of Overland Park, Kansas was killed when the sign at the newly renovated Birmingham airport fell.  Bresette was taken to Children’s Hospital of Alabama where he was pronounced dead.  Bresette’s two siblings were also taken to the same hospital, but their condition is unknown.  Luke’s mother, Heather Bresette, was taken to University Hospital, and, according to Nicole Wyatt, spokeswoman of the hospital, she is listed in critical condition.

According to one eyewitness, Albert Ososrio, 46, of Birmingham, when the sign fell there was a “loud boom followed by screams from the family and witnesses.”  Ososrio reported that he and five others lifted the sign off the family.  “The whole thing flipped down on those kids,” he said.

Firefighters who responded to the scene of the accident estimated the panel weighed 300-400 pounds.

The accident occurred at the newly renovated concourse which had only been open for a week.  The airport just completed first phase of a more than $201 million airport renovation last week.

Airport spokeswoman Toni Herrera-Bast said airport officials are not sure how or why the sign fell, but the Airport Authority as well as the city of Birmingham are investigating the accident.

As a precaution, the other flight information panel was taken down and removed from the airport.

Original story found here.

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