Trendpills
Eighteen people were transported to local hospitals on Monday after a mobile lounge crashed at Washington Dulles International Airport. The vehicle, one of the airport's iconic people movers, was carrying 75 passengers at the time of the incident.
According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the crash occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. The lounge was transporting passengers from an international flight to the main terminal for customs processing when it struck a component of the docking area at Concourse C. Emergency medical services responded promptly to the scene to assess the situation and treat the injured.
All 18 individuals who were hospitalized sustained non-life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by airport officials. The remaining 57 passengers were evaluated at the scene and subsequently transported to the main terminal to continue their journey. An initial report from the BBC confirmed the number of injured and noted that the airport's operations were not significantly impacted by the accident.
The mobile lounges have been a signature feature of Dulles Airport since it opened in 1962, serving to ferry passengers between the main terminal and various concourses. While they are a well-known part of the airport's design, this incident has drawn attention to their operational safety. Details published by The New York Times highlighted that the lounge “struck part of the docking area,” causing the sudden stop that resulted in the injuries.
The MWAA has launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Further details are expected to be released as the inquiry progresses. The Associated Press reported that an investigation is underway to prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, the focus remains on the well-being of the passengers involved.
