Virgin Atlantic engineer Georgie Buxton died in hospital on 7 July after being seriously injured during maintenance work at Heathrow Airport on 11 June. The Heathrow engineer death has prompted a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive, with an inquest due to be opened.
Buxton was 23. Virgin Atlantic said it was “heartbroken” to confirm the death of a “much-loved” member of its engineering team, and Heathrow Airport said its thoughts were with his family, friends and colleagues.
Georgie Buxton at Heathrow Airport
Police said officers attended the scene with the London Ambulance Service on the morning of 11 June. A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the incident, which happened while Buxton was undertaking maintenance work on an aircraft at Heathrow Airport.
Buxton is believed to have been working on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner when he was injured. His LinkedIn page said he started working for Virgin Atlantic two years ago, and described himself as a “highly dedicated” worker with an “immense passion for aircraft engineering”.
Virgin Atlantic and HSE
Virgin Atlantic said: “Our thoughts are firmly with Georgie's family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at this incredibly sad and challenging time.” It also said: “We're providing support to loved ones wherever we can and sharing our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected.”
The airline added: “The safety and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority, and we are devastated by this incident.” HSE said: “We are investigating this incident jointly with The Metropolitan Police.”
The joint inquiry will now run alongside the inquest process. For Buxton’s family and colleagues, the next formal steps are set by those investigations, which will focus on what happened during the maintenance work on 11 June.
