A flight attendant was reportedly injured after falling from a plane at an airport in England.
On Monday, December 16, at around 16:30 local time, the woman – who works for travel company TUI – was injured as the plane was preparing to take off at East Midlands Airport (EMA), according to the BBC.
EMA chief operating officer Simon Hinchley said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “As the first medical team on the scene, our fire crews attended an incident on Monday when a TUI cabin crew member sustained injuries while the aircraft was being prepared for take off.”
“East Midlands Ambulance Service attended and took the injured crew member to hospital. We wish her a speedy recovery and will assist all parties with the investigation,” Hinchley added.
Photo of the stewardess.
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The flight attendant reportedly opened the plane’s door “expecting the stairs to still be attached,” according to local newspaper Nottinghamshire Live. However, there were no stairs and she fell, the publication said, adding that an ambulance was among the medical personnel called to the scene.
East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed to PEOPLE that they “received a call” regarding a “medical emergency” at the airport on Monday.
“We dispatched a paramedic in a solo ambulance and an ambulance. An air ambulance also attended. One patient was taken by ambulance to Queen’s Medical Center,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE: “The AAIB has been notified of an accident that occurred at East Midlands Airport on Monday, December 16.”
“An investigation has been launched and inspectors have visited the airport to collect evidence and conduct inquiries to learn more about the circumstances,” the statement added.
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Photo of TUI plane.
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A reader told the publication that the woman “fell onto the runway” after opening the plane’s door.
“She opened the door, stepped outside, and the steps that should have been there for whatever reason were not there. She fell on the asphalt and I heard that she was seriously injured,” they told the paper.
Air Ambulance Service had no further information to add when contacted by PEOPLE. A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority told PEOPLE in a statement: “We are aware of the incident, however the investigation is in the hands of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Health and Safety Executive, so we would not be able to comment on this incident.”
TUI and East Midlands Ambulance Service did not immediately respond when PEOPLE contacted them for further information.
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