Airport Employee Crushed to Death Inside Boeing 787

A 23-year-old Virgin Atlantic engineer has died after being crushed by heavy machinery while performing maintenance on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Georgie Calan Buxton suffered devastating injuries while carrying out maintenance testing on the aircraft inside a hangar. Reports said he was working in the plane’s fuel-tank area when equipment suddenly collapsed on top of him.

Buxton was rushed to the hospital and spent approximately four weeks in intensive care. He died at St. Mary’s Hospital on July 7 after life support was withdrawn, according to reports and the West London Coroner’s Court schedule.

Virgin Atlantic clarified that the accident did not involve one of the aircraft’s engines.

Buxton had joined Virgin Atlantic roughly two years earlier after previously working as an aircraft technician for Ryanair at Stansted Airport. Colleagues described him as a popular and deeply loved member of the engineering team.

“Georgie was a young and very loved member of the team,” a source told The Sun.

Virgin Atlantic said it was devastated by Buxton’s death and was providing support to his family, friends and coworkers.

“We are heartbroken to confirm that a much-loved member of our engineering team has passed away,” an airline spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are firmly with his family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and challenging time.”

The airline said the safety and well-being of its employees remained its highest priority.

“We are working closely with relevant authorities and the aircraft manufacturer on the investigation to establish all facts,” the spokesperson added. “Out of respect for those involved and while the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide any further information at this stage.”

Heathrow Airport also expressed its condolences following what it described as a tragic accident.

The Boeing 787 involved has remained grounded while Virgin Atlantic, investigators and aircraft manufacturer Boeing work to determine exactly how the equipment collapsed. The airline has not publicly identified the plane by its registration number.

The exact cause of the workplace accident has not yet been announced.

A formal inquest into Buxton’s death is scheduled to open at West London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, July 30. The court listing identifies him as Georgie Calan Buxton and confirms that he was 23 when he died.