Four LAX Airport construction workers fall ill – one seriously – after gas leak: Terminal 8 is evacuated as United Airlines flights are delayed
- A gas leak in LAX has hospitalized four construction workers, with one in critical condition
- One man in his 50s was found without a pulse and not breathing in the utility room in which the leak sprung
- United Airlines flights to LAX were delayed but are due to resume at 10am PT
- A hazmat investigation only affected United Airlines facilities, the airport said
A carbon dioxide leak in a utility room in Terminal 8 in LAX airport caused a construction worker to lose his pulse and stop breathing this morning.
The man in his 50s was found without a pulse in the utility room in which the leak sprung. Paramedics performed CPR and he was taken to a nearby Los Angeles airport. On arrival his condition was updated to be critical, the fire department said.
Three others, two men and a women, were found to be in the room as well but less severely affected.
The airport has announced that the leak has caused delays and that all United Airlines flights into the airport will be held at their origin airport.
United flights that were already in the air and enroute to LAX will continue as planned. Those that did not depart due to the leak will do so after 10am PT and ordinary service will resume.
Los Angeles Fire Department have said that the leak sprung in a utility room area.
The utility room is located more than 200 feet from the Terminal 8 baggage area, according to officials.
Authorities said that there was a popping sound that could be heard by the workers shortly before the leak.
Los Angeles Airport Terminal 8 hosts mainline flights, served by United Express and United Airlines.
The airport said in a tweet that only the United Airlines facility was impacted by an ongoing hazmat investigation.
A Hazardous Materials team from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the baggage claim area of that terminal around 7am.
Terminal 8 was cleared entirely of more than 100 passengers and were sent to Terminal 7 for ‘screening,’ the airport said.
Only trace amounts of carbon dioxide remained in the room, according to an update from the fire department at 8.45am.