Newark, New Jersey – Quick action by Port Police Officers has potentially averted a dangerous situation after a toddler accessed a checked baggage conveyor belt system at Terminal A of Newark Liberty International Airport.
This incident took place last Wednesday around 6:30 PM while the child’s mother was speaking with an agent at the JetBlue counter. In a brief moment, the two-year-old managed to reach the conveyor belt adjacent to the counter.
“It all happened in a flash,” remarked Frank Conti, the union president of the Port Authority police.
The conveyor belt is directly linked to the chute that leads to the terminal’s luggage screening. This is precisely where the toddler fell in.
Fortunately, a Port Authority official, who was near the area on the third floor, acted quickly when the emergency unfolded.
According to Conti, two officers swiftly accessed the system, and their teamwork was crucial in the situation.
“There was a split in the belt beneath the chute,” Conti elaborated. “One officer went one way while the other took a different route. One of them spotted the child nearing an x-ray unit,” which is used for examining luggage contents.
Just in time, the officers managed to grab the toddler before he reached the x-ray machine.
A local news outlet spoke with the boy’s grandfather, who expressed gratitude to the officers for rescuing his grandson. He confirmed that both the child and his mother are doing well. (The boy’s identity isn’t disclosed due to his age.)
The family, residing in Staten Island, New York, had actually planned a vacation to Tampa, Florida shortly after the incident, with the grandfather noting that it was an experience they wouldn’t easily forget, even before boarding the plane.
While the names of the involved officers remain undisclosed, Conti mentioned that their colleagues recognize their contributions, adding that everyone appreciates the family’s gratitude.
“Thanks can be a bit variable,” he said, offering a thoughtful perspective.
