Mirko Marweg and Luis Aldarondo id as the two Delta Airlines maintenance workers killed when a tyre exploded at an Atlanta, Georgia area workshop as the cause of the ‘accident’ remains unknown amid an ongoing investigation. Third worker remains hospitalized.
The son of the Delta Airlines worker killed after a tyre exploding during maintenance has spoken about the horrific injuries his father suffered and the emotional toll.
Mirko Marweg, 58, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was among one of two workers killed when a tyre on one of the airline’s Boeing’s 757’s exploded during maintenance at a depot close to Atlanta’s airport on Tuesday. Along with Marweg, a second maintenance worker, Luis Aldarondo, 37, of Newnan, was also killed. A third un-identified maintenance worker, remained hospitalized.
Horrific injuries sustained
At the time of the tragedy a maintenance team was disassembling wheel components at Delta’s TechOps Tire and Maintenance facility near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the tyre suddenly exploded, sending a piece of metal ‘flying like a missile’ Tuesday morning.
So horrific were Marweg’s injuries, the man’s body was left unrecognizable according to the Clayton County Medical Examiner.
His son Andre Coleman told 11Alive that his family was forced to rely on Marweg’s tattoos and a Mississippi State lanyard to identify him.
‘I’m in a state of shock,’ Coleman told the outlet. ‘I wanted to view the body because I didn’t believe it was true. Neither did my mom.’
‘My dad was an amazing guy, wonderful father, wonderful husband. I just saw him Sunday after I told him I needed an oil change. That’s the kind of Dad he was. He was always there.’
The victim’s brother, Eric Gibson, talking to WSB-TV said, ‘We’re all in disbelief that this is actually occurring. We’re waiting for someone to wake us all up from this nightmare.’
‘He was a great gentleman,’ the brother added.
No explanation offered for cause of tyre exploding
Marweg had worked for Delta for more than 20 years and was planning to retire in a few months.
Marweg served in the military for four years, following generations of his family over the past century, including his father, sister, brothers, nephew, son, and granddaughter.
Delta said previously the wheel parts that were being disassembled when the explosion occurred were not attached to a plane at the time.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)said it opened an investigation. To date, authorities have yet to explain what led to the tyre suddenly exploding.
The facility where the explosion happened is part of Delta TechOps, which performs maintenance, repair and overhaul work for Delta and more than 150 aviation and airline customers around the world.
Offered Delta Airlines in a release: ‘The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility.
‘We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
‘The Delta family is grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site.’
