Chaos as raccoon falls from LaGuardia Airport ceiling and runs wild in terminal
Airline staff were captured scrambling for cover as the furry creature swung from the ceiling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chaos unfurled at LaGuardia Airport New York when a raccoon was seen falling through the terminal ceiling before running wild on the concourse.
A passenger filmed the furry creature dangling from a cable as passengers queued to check in to their Spirit Airlines flight on Monday morning between 8 to 8:30 am.
Stunned staff scrambled in horror as the animal fell and scurried past onlookers ā an airport alarm and a distressed barking dog can also be heard in the background of the video clip posted by a social media user on X.
One woman can be heard saying: āI need to hold him in my armsā while another is heard screaming in the background.
A speaker in the clip is heard saying: āDamn! Save LaGuardia!ā
Then, a man who appears to be a passenger ā dressed in jeans and a white cap ā walks over to the animal with a transparent airport disposal bucket in an attempt to catch the fox-like animal.
@AhmadAnonimis, who posted the video tweeted: āDead a***, just seen a raccoon fall from the ceiling in LaGuardia Airportā with skull emojis to amplify the incredulity of the animalsā emergence.
āCanāt make this upā he added in a second post with the video of the chaos attached.
Spirit Airlines sent a statement to The Independent: āA raccoon was located and released outside after briefly entering Terminal A at New York-LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Nov. 4.
āTo ensure a positive experience for our LGA Guests, we immediately notified the facilities team and are addressing the matter with a professional wildlife control company.ā
Port Authority toldThe Independent that the animal was secured and released outside and no further sightings of the agile creature were reported.
āTo ensure safety, airport staff is working closely with a professional wildlife control company to monitor the area, identify potential entry points, and implement necessary precautions.
āOngoing inspections and follow-up efforts are in place to prevent future incidents.ā
The Independent contacted LaGuardia Airport and Spirit Airlines for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments