Flight crew reported a near collision with a baggage tug during taxi for take off. The Captain aggressively braked to avoid the collision and the tug altered course and drove off.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported a near collision with a baggage tug during taxi for take off. The Captain aggressively braked to avoid the collision and the tug altered course and drove off.
Narrative
On taxi out after crossing the bridge prior to [the gate] while going around 15 kts.; a tug blew through a stop sign and was on an intersection collision course with us. The tug was completely blocked for the First Officer (FO) to see because of the location and I did not see it until it came out from behind the post between my side windows. We were probably 40-50 ft. from the road and I as soon as I had a visual on the errant tug I aggressively applied the brakes. The tug never saw us until they were in about the 11 o'clock position to our nose and they momentarily turned away then continued to drive off. Had I not stopped the airplane would have impacted the tug. We stopped about maybe 10 ft. away; still clear of the road. I could see the top of the tug the entire time. I then set the brake and the FO and I evaluated the situation with a quick discussion and to see how each other was doing. The FO contacted Ground to report the tug as I contacted the FAs to ensure everyone was okay. Everyone was Okay and I was informed that during the aggressive stop everyone was seated; including the FAs; with seat belts on. I then made a brief PA to the Passengers. After about 10 minutes we had resolved the situation and were confident to continue to taxi. In cruise we received a call from the FAs saying the passenger in seat XX was complaining of a sore and stiff neck associated with an aggressive stop of the aircraft to avoid a tug that blew through a stop sign at ZZZ. We called Med Link and based on their recommendations we offered ice; warm compress and Aleve. He accepted the ice and warm compress but rejected the Aleve. Out of an abundance of caution we had paramedics meet the plane and evaluate him. The Paramedics personal evaluation was that he was fishing for money.
Second reporter narrative
In ZZZ we were almost struck by a Luggage Tug. We were taxiing on Taxiway 1 near the gates. We were on proper routing and taxiing at a normal speed. Approaching one of the roads crossing the taxiway; a luggage tug ignored a stop sign to our left and drove in front of the aircraft. The Captain applied maximum braking to bring the aircraft to a stop. The Tug swerved to avoid the nose wheel and just missed the aircraft. We immediately notified ZZZ Ground and stopped to ensure we had no injuries on the aircraft. Once we received confirmation from the Lead Flight Attendant; we notified Ground that we were ready to taxi and proceeded with the flight with no further issues. Once airborne; we were notified that one passenger expressed some pain in his neck due to the sudden stop. The Captain collected his information and then notified Med Link. Upon arrival into ZZZ1; medical personnel met the aircraft to assess his concerns.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.