Frontier Airlines aircraft struck and killed a pedestrian at Denver International Airport on Friday, according to the airport.
Officials stated the individual scaled a perimeter fence and was hit while crossing the runway.
The airline announced it is investigating and expressed profound sadness over the tragedy.

A Frontier Airlines jet collided with and killed a pedestrian at Denver International Airport on Friday night, airport authorities confirmed.

In a Saturday morning social media update, Denver International detailed that Frontier Flight 4345 reported striking a person during takeoff around 11:19 p.m. Firefighters swiftly addressed and put out a brief engine fire right there on the scene.

Airport officials later verified the pedestrian had climbed over a perimeter fence before being struck on the runway.

The individual was declared dead and does not appear to be an airport employee; no identification has been released. The runway saw a short closure for the investigation but has since reopened.

Frontier Airlines issued a statement noting smoke reports inside the cabin, leading pilots to abort the takeoff. Passengers were safely evacuated using slides purely as a precaution.

Denver International reported 12 cases of minor injuries, including five people taken to a hospital.

The Airbus A321, headed to Los Angeles, carried 224 passengers along with seven crew members at the time of the incident, Frontier indicated.

We are probing this matter and collecting details alongside the airport and relevant safety agencies, the airline added. We are deeply saddened by this event.

An audio clip from air traffic control captures a Frontier pilot declaring: Frontier 4345, we are stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody, we have an engine fire.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced Saturday it is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration, Denver airport staff, and local authorities to obtain additional facts.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.