A Delta Air Lines pilot is taking legal action after his foot became caught in a moving walkway at Denver International Airport in 2022, causing him to collapse and suffer injuries.
Kenneth Gow, a pilot who lives in Utah, filed a lawsuit against TK Elevator Corporation (TKE), the company in charge of the walkway’s maintenance, for negligence following the incident that happened on Nov. 4, 2022.
In the lawsuit filed in December 2023, Mr. Gow claimed that a missing part at the end of the walkway caused his fall. He recalled experiencing “a surge of pain in his foot” before collapsing.
“Ken looked over and saw that his foot and shoe had been swallowed by the walkway as it was missing a plate,” the lawsuit reads. “Ken’s foot, sock, and shoe were severely damaged.”
“It’s really fortunate that Mr. Gow wasn’t hurt worse,” he was quoted as saying. “It was fortunate that Mr. Gow was wearing a pretty hefty shoe.”
Mr. Gow said in the lawsuit that the broken walkway “posed an unreasonable risk of injury to passengers on it,” which could create a dangerous situation at the airport.
Mr. Gow sought medical attention for his injuries at a clinic in Utah three days after the incident. He was told to use a foot brace, as he had suffered a strain on the left Achilles tendon and a contusion of the left foot.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Gow began physical therapy as prescribed by the doctor on Nov. 29, 2022, but he continued to experience severe pain in his left foot.
The lawsuit is seeking an amount to be determined at trial to cover Mr. Gow’s medical expenses, along with damages for physical impairment, emotional distress, mental anguish, and physical suffering.
Denver International Airport said following the incident that “the safety of our passengers and employees is always a top priority and we work diligently every day in partnership with our contractors to address issues.”
