Authorities Sunday concluded the death of a man jumping from an upper roadway at Los Angeles International Airport to the arrival roadway below was a suicide.
Thousands of horrified travelers arriving at LAX at the time of the suicide were caught in a traffic jam as vehicles were directed from the lower arrival level to the upper departure level, regardless of their destinations.
However, officials said flight operations were not affected by the incident.
“Investigators believe the man committed suicide,” said L.A. Airport police spokesman Officer Rob Pedregon. “We have video of the man jumping to his death.”
At about 9:35 a.m. Saturday, Los Angeles Airport Police responded to a welfare check of an unknown male in the roadway at 400 World Way and West Way, airport police spokeswoman Alicia Hernandez said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department determined the man was dead at the scene, she said. His name was withheld pending notification of kin.
Pedestrians arriving at Terminals 4 and 5 were diverted to the departure level, Los Angeles World Airports spokesman Frederick Badlissi said.
A parking structure adjacent to the fall scene was closed and some traffic lanes were closed, he said.
–City News Service