MSY baggage handler killed when hair got caught in machinery

Baggage on a conveyor belt inside a luggage sorting system at an airport.

Photo credit Getty Images

By Chris Miller

A 26-year-old baggage handler at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport died in an industrial accident while unloading bags for Frontier Airlines, according to NOLA.com.

Jermani Thompson 's hair got tangled up in the machinery of a belt loader, according to an official with GAT Airline Ground Support, the woman's employer. She was unloading luggage when the accident happened around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.

"We are heartbroken and are supporting her family and her friends as best as we are able," said Mike Hough, CEO of GAT.

Frontier Airlines spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz said one flight this morning was canceled, but otherwise everything else was operating on schedule.