A contract security guard reportedly drove a white sedan onto a taxiway at John Wayne Airport on Dec. 8 and sped past multiple aircraft while airport staff signaled frantically. Air traffic control held planes — including a Southwest flight — in position as deputies detained the driver without further incident. The individual was evaluated on scene and found to be experiencing a possible medical emergency, taken to a local hospital and placed under observation. Airport operations were not disrupted; the employee has been suspended pending review.
Security Guard Drives Onto Taxiway, Speeds Past Multiple Planes at John Wayne Airport
Security Guard Drove Car Onto Taxiway and Sped by Multiple Airplanes. Driver Had 'Possible Medical Emergency,' Airport Says
A chaotic scene unfolded at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana on Dec. 8 when a contract security guard drove a vehicle onto an active taxiway and sped past several parked aircraft, airport officials said.
What Happened
The incident occurred about 1:12 p.m. local time, according to airport spokesperson AnnaSophia Servin. The guard, who had been assigned to an airfield security checkpoint, allegedly entered the aircraft-designated path in a white sedan and accelerated at what coworkers described as a "high rate of speed." Video obtained by local outlets shows the car racing down the taxiway as airport staff shouted and waved traffic wands to warn pilots and halt aircraft movement.
DANIEL SLIM/AFP via GettyA Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 passenger plane.
Response On Scene
Employees can be heard and seen frantically signaling to pilots. "Me and all my co-workers were just like yelling, giving him the X, holding the [traffic] wands, telling him to stop the plane, and then he zoomed right past," said Rijken Vanderweide, an airport employee who filmed the footage for KABC. Vanderweide added that the vehicle came very close to striking an aircraft's nose gear and could have caused significant damage.
Air traffic control recordings captured the controller warning a Southwest Airlines flight: "Southwest 1057 hold position, there's a high-speed chase on the taxiway," and instructing other aircraft to hold while authorities responded.
Aftermath
Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office detained the individual shortly after they entered the taxiway; there were no further confrontations. Because of the person's erratic behavior, deputies requested a medical assessment from the Orange County Fire Authority. The individual was evaluated on scene and determined to be experiencing a possible medical emergency, Servin said.
GettyJohn Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif.
The security guard was transported to a nearby hospital and, as of Dec. 11, remained under medical observation. Airport operations were not interrupted during or after the event, and the employee has been placed on suspension pending a final review of the incident.
Sources: Airport statement via PEOPLE; video and reporting from KABC; Orange County Sheriff's Office statement.
