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Passenger jumps from Southwest Airlines plane at Phoenix airport

Officials said that 30-year-old Daniel Ramirez has been arrested after exiting a plane while it was taxiing on Saturday morning.

PHOENIX — A passenger reportedly jumped from an airplane at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Saturday morning, officials said. 

A spokesperson with Southwest Airlines said Flight 4236 landed in Phoenix from Colorado Springs and was taxiing to the arrival gate in the morning. 

While en route to the gate, a passenger on board, later identified as 30-year-old Daniel Ramirez, jumped off the plane from a rear galley door.

The flight's captain stopped the plane and notified Air Traffic Control, the spokesperson said. 

The Phoenix Fire Department said Ramirez walked into the fire station at the airport after jumping off the plane. Crews said he then walked into a dormitory room and locked himself inside.

Firefighters were able to get Ramirez to unlock the door after a few minutes. He was then evaluated, treated and taken to a hospital for a lower extremity injury.

Authorities responded and the plane continued to its designated gate with the remaining passengers and crew members. 

Officials have not said if Ramirez sustained any injuries or what led up to the incident. He has been booked for two felony counts of trespassing following the incident. 

This is a developing story. Stay with 12 News as more information becomes available. 

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What is the Valley?: 

“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.  

The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:  

  • Mesa  
  • Chandler  
  • Scottsdale  
  • Tempe  
  • Glendale  
  • Surprise  
  • Peoria  
  • Gilbert  
  • Maricopa  
  • Casa Grande 

Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.  

The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas. 

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