ORLANDO, Fla. – An autopsy report has finally been released after a Delta Air Lines staff member died while on the job at Orlando International Airport back in May.
Months later, the Medical Examiner’s report shows the worker — identified as Daniel Maldonado, 49 — died from “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and his death was ruled an accident.
While the report doesn’t specify the exact circumstances surrounding Maldonado’s death, it does mention details of the injuries he suffered.
Head and neck injuries included:
- Abrasions and a laceration near the right ear
- Bleeding beneath the scalp and within/around the brain (including subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages)
- A pontomedullary laceration (injury at the brainstem region)
Torso injuries included:
- Extensive abrasions, bruising, and lacerations
- Severe spinal trauma involving fractures of the T3–T5 vertebrae, with the spinal cord and aorta transected at T4
- Multiple displaced rib fractures
- Lacerations to internal organs including the lungs, liver, and spleen
- Blood in the chest and abdomen cavities (hemothorax and hemoperitoneum)
Extremity injuries included:
- An open fracture of the left humerus
- Multiple abrasions and contusions to arms and leg
“The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of a team member while on the job at Orlando International Airport on the evening of May 7,” the airline said in a statement shortly after news broke of Maldonado’s death. “We are focused on extending our full support to family and taking care of our Orlando team during this difficult time.”
Delta noted that safety is the airline’s top core value.
At the time, Orlando police said they were conducting a death investigation inside the airside terminal, though few other details about the case have been released so far.