A tragic incident occurred at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when an 80-year-old Indian-origin passenger, who had arrived on Air India flight AI-116 from New York, collapsed and passed away. The elderly couple had pre-booked wheelchair assistance for both of them, but due to a shortage, only the wife could be accommodated.
Despite the efforts of the airport staff to arrange another wheelchair, the passenger chose to walk alongside his wife. Unfortunately, as they reached the immigration counter, he collapsed, reportedly due to a heart attack.
In its official statement, Air India mentioned that the passenger’s wife was promptly provided with a wheelchair. The airline had arranged for a wheelchair because the elderly man’s family had specifically requested it due to his medical conditions and frail health. However, the man decided not to wait and proceeded on his own, resulting in the tragic incident, according to the national carrier.
“One of our guests flying from New York to Mumbai on 12th February fell ill while proceeding to clear immigration with his wife, who was in a wheelchair. Due to heavy demand for wheelchairs, we had requested the passenger to wait until he was also provided with wheelchair assistance, but he chose to walk along with his spouse,” Air India stated.
The airline further defended its stance by stating that it adheres to all necessary precautions and measures for passenger safety and comfort. It expressed its condolences to the man’s family for their loss, but subtly implied that it was a tragic accident rather than a service lapse or negligence.
“As advised by the airport doctor attending to him after falling ill, the passenger was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared to have passed away,” the airline explained.
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