A JFK Airport employee was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment over the weekend, after what authorities describe as “cleaning supplies” he was transporting, leaked from his backpack and burned three passengers, including two brothers ages 5 and 8.
Ivan Ivanov, 32, was criminally charged on Saturday for transporting what was dubbed Drano by officials, in an unsafe container.
Witnesses say Ivanov was overheard telling police that he had no idea what kind of substance he was carrying.
The incident took place aboard the Q53 bus around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Metropolitan Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. The brothers were sitting on the floor of the bus near to where Ivanov had placed his bag on the floor. The caustic substance melted the container he used and then ate through the backpack, dripping out onto the floor and onto the boys’ legs and buttocks.
Both children were taken to the hospital and treated for minor burns. Another passenger, an adult female, was treated at the scene by paramedics.
By Samantha Geary