There is no easy way to come to terms with a young death. When a young death is completely unexpected due to an accident, it hurts all the more.
The entire community is mourning the loss of young Jermani Thompson after her horrific death.
Jermani Thompson was a 26-year-old contracted baggage handler for GAT Airline Ground Support, a company that has contracts with Frontier airlines.
Thompson was working the night shift and around 10:20 p.m. when she was offloading baggage from an inbound Frontier flight, her hair accidentally got caught in the belt loader.
The exact circumstances surrounding her death are unclear, but GAT CEO Mike Hough revealed that Thompson had been severely injured and died as a result of her injuries.
“What we know so far is that her hair became entangled with the machinery of the belt loader,” Hough said in his statement. “We are heartbroken and are supporting her family and her friends as best as we are able.”
Her mother told the news that her daughter loved playing basketball, and you would always see her with a basketball in her hands. She talked about how she was expecting her daughter home, but instead got a call that changed her life. She recalls screaming after she heard the news of her daughter’s death on her way to the hospital.
Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where the incident occurred also made a statement to the press.
“We are deeply saddened about the tragic loss of GAT Airline Ground Support team member,” Dolloile said. “The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport extends its sincere condolences to her family and friends, and also to our partners at GAT and Fontier Airlines. [The victim] was a part of our Airport family, and we will continue to support one another in any way we can during this trying time.”
Thompson’s co-workers say they cannot “stop crying” and are unable to get the image out of their heads. The entire ordeal has really taken a toll on staff.
What a terrible tragedy to have lost someone in such a violent way at such a young age. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jermani Thompson.
