The family of a Virgin Atlantic engineer who died after an explosion at Heathrow Airport has paid tribute to their “beautiful son”. Georgie Buxton, 23, suffered a traumatic brain injury following the incident on 11 June and died after 27 days in intensive care.
Incident and Injuries
Buxton was working inside a plane fuel tank when the explosion occurred. He underwent multiple surgeries to his head and neck but could not be saved. A colleague in another part of the tank, who was uninjured, managed to move him onto the platform stairs they were using.
A forensic post-mortem examination, carried out at the request of police, found that Buxton had suffered a traumatic brain injury – a craniofacial trauma.
Family Tribute
In a fundraising appeal on GoFundMe, Rachel Buxton described Georgie as a “kind, intelligent and caring young man who had so much to look forward to”. She said he had recently started his career as an Aircraft Technician with Virgin Atlantic, a role he was “incredibly proud of”. He had previously held the same role with Ryanair.
She praised the London Air Ambulance team, saying their “rapid response and specialist care” gave Georgie the chance to survive. He spent 27 days in the Intensive Care Unit at St Mary's Hospital, where “doctors, nurses and ICU team did everything possible to save him”.
Investigation and Fundraising
The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation, working with the Health and Safety Executive. An inquest into Buxton's death has been opened and suspended pending any criminal charges.
The family are raising money for London Air Ambulance and St Mary's Hospital ICU. At the time of writing, the fundraising page had raised £26,604.
