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Florida woman's arm, foot severed by airplane propeller, sheriff's office says

Posted at 1:18 PM, Oct 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-13 15:18:24-04

KEY WEST, Fla. — A woman from Naples reportedly had her arm and foot severed when she was hit by an airplane propeller on Saturday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office says it happened at 8:45 p.m. at Key West International Airport.

According to authorities, initial reports indicate the pilot and female passenger were preparing to taxi in a private plane when the plane wouldn't move, or was having some kind of unknown mechanical issue.

The sheriff's office says the pilot exited the airplane while it was still running to see if the blocks that keep it stationary on the tarmac were still in place.

The passenger also got out and walked to the front of the airplane, where she was hit by the propeller, according to the sheriff's office.

A crew with the Key West Fire Department transported the woman to the Lower Keys Medical Center. She was then airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami in stable condition, authorities say.

The sheriff's office says Florida Highway Patrol is handling the investigation. The woman's condition on Sunday was not immediately available.

Authorities say it's not clear what issue the pilot was having when the accident happened.