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Family grieving after loved one killed in 'tire explosion' incident at Delta TechOps facility

Mirko Marweg's family got the call he and another coworker had been killed in an accident early Tuesday morning.

ATLANTA — Mirko Marweg was his family's "Mr. Fix-It" and a loving man who helped anyone he could. 

But now, after a tragic accident, his family is left grieving the man who was always around to lend a helping hand. 

The 58-year-old of Stone Mountain was one of two people killed Tuesday morning at Delta's TechOps Tire and Maintenance facility close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

RELATED: Two killed, third person injured in reported tire explosion incident at Delta TechOps facility

Marweg's son, Andre Coleman, opened up exclusively to 11Alive just hours after the family received the phone call that the accident was deadly.

"If I could tell him something right now, I would tell him no more suffering. You had your time here with us now it's time for you to be with God," Coleman said.

He described how he could not believe that this happened to his father and that he would no longer have him by his side. 

"I'm in a state of shock," Coleman said. "I wanted to view the body because I didn't believe it was true. Neither did my mom." 

When they tried, the Clayton County Medical Examiner said Marweg's body was "unrecognizable," and they couldn't. The ME's office identified the 58-year-old and 37-year-old Luis Aldarondo of Newnan as the two people killed. Another coworker was also seriously injured and has been hospitalized.

"We identified him by tattoos and his Mississippi State lanyard around his neck," Coleman said.

Mirko Marweg's family got the call he and another coworker had been killed in an accident early Tuesday morning.

The 58-year-old served in the Air Force for four years and worked for MARTA. Delta would be his last job.

According to Delta, Marweg and Aldarondo were killed just after 5 a.m. while working with wheel components being disassembled for maintenance that was not on an aircraft. However, a report from Atlanta Fire Rescue listed a narrative from a worker who was there when the situation unfolded. In the report, AFR also said they responded to a "tire explosion."

"I heard an explosion behind me and saw my co-workers running away from the direction of the explosion. I realized they were running to get help," the report indicates.

The witness added they saw a body with blood, according to the report.

It's still unclear how or why this happened. As the investigation continues, Marweg's family is holding the memories they have with him close.

"My dad was an amazing guy, wonderful father, wonderful husband. I just saw him Sunday after I told him I needed an oil change. That's the kind of Dad he was. He was always there," Coleman said. 

But Marweg's legacy and loving spirit will forever be remembered and embodied in his loved ones. 

"If we needed something that he didn't have the answer to, we were going to figure it out. Me and him together. I'll make sure I'll keep your legacy alive and who you are alive while I'm on this earth," Coleman stated.

The last time that Coleman physically saw his dad was on Aug. 25, when they changed the oil on his motorcycle -- something they frequently did.

RELATED: Delta employees who died after incident involving 'aircraft wheel components' at TechOps facility identified

Delta released a statement and letter to all employees saying:

TechOps Team, 

I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 - Wheel & Brake Shop. Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured. We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened. 

This news is heartbreaking for all of us. EAP resources will be onsite at the ATL TOC to support our teams as long as needed. Please do not hesitate to contact EAP, your leader or TechOps Human Resources for any assistance or support you need. Spring Health counselors are also available 24/7 at [redacted].  

Please know your safety and wellbeing comes first – always, and that your leaders are here for you. Please continue to take good care of yourself and one another. We’re all in this together, and we’ll get through this by supporting each other. 

John Laughter 
President – Delta TechOps, E.V.P. and Chief of Operations. 

11Alive's More Than a Number series seeks to humanize crime coverage by "giving a face to the victim and a voice to the family." If you would like to honor a loved one you lost, you can use the form below or email us at MoreThanANumber@11alive.com to tell us about them, and we will add them to our memorial page

If you need help or support in your time of loss, please visit our resource guide. For more details on this project, please visit 11alive.com/MoreThanANumber.

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