Woman who died in O’Hare machinery incident identified

CHICAGO — A woman died Thursday after getting trapped in machinery at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Authorities responded to the area of Terminal 5 during the morning hours. According to police, surveillance video showed a woman, 57, entering an unoccupied restricted area just before 2:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The woman was identified Friday as Virginia Vinton, of Waxhaw, North Carolina. The Cook County Coroner’s Office ruled her death a suicide by hanging.

Around 7:30 a.m., Chicago fire personnel responded to a call of an unresponsive female. According to fire officials, the woman had reportedly been entangled in the conveyor belt system for moving baggage through Terminal 5.

Vinton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chicago fire officials told WGN News they believed the incident was an industrial accident. CFD added the baggage handling area was not accessible to the public.

A death investigation is ongoing.

Vinton was not an employee of the airport, according to OSHA.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.