An incident on an easyJet aircraft preparing to travel from Malaga, Spain, to London Gatwick Airport shocked both passengers and the aviation community. Holidaymakers alleged that an 89-year-old woman was boarded onto the aircraft by her family despite having already passed away.
According to passengers’ claims, the elderly woman was brought to the aircraft in a wheelchair by five relatives. It was alleged that the family informed ground services and cabin crew that the woman was “unwell and had fallen asleep”, and even persuaded staff by saying, “There’s no problem, we are doctors.”
The Truth Emerged While the Aircraft Was on the Runway
While the aircraft was taxiing for take-off at 11:15 local time, the cabin crew were informed that the woman had died. The aircraft was immediately stopped and the flight was cancelled. Due to the incident, the flight was delayed by approximately 12 hours and was only able to take off again at 22:47.
Eyewitnesses reported that the family seated the woman’s lifeless body in a seat at the rear of the aircraft, and that some passengers became suspicious at the time. It was claimed that a doctor on board confirmed that the woman had already passed away at the moment she was placed in her seat.
Passenger Reaction: “They Wouldn’t Have Taken Us If We Were Drunk”
Passenger Petra Boddington told the Daily Mail:
“I don’t know what easyJet ground staff were thinking today. They asked repeatedly if the woman was okay, but she clearly wasn’t. Even to the naked eye, she looked dead. If I had been drunk, I wouldn’t have been allowed on the plane, but being dead wasn’t a problem?”
Another passenger, Tracy-Ann Kitching, wrote on Facebook, “Why did you allow a dead person onto the plane?” holding both the airline and the special assistance staff responsible.
easyJet Denied the Allegations
easyJet rejected the passengers’ claims in a written statement. The airline maintained that the woman was alive at the time she boarded the aircraft and that she had a valid fitness-to-fly certificate.
An easyJet spokesperson said:
“Our EZY8070 flight from Malaga to London Gatwick returned to its parking position prior to departure due to a passenger requiring urgent medical assistance. Emergency services met the aircraft, but unfortunately the passenger passed away.”
Police Investigation, No Arrests
The Malaga Civil Guard confirmed that police officers were called to the aircraft following the incident. Authorities stated that the death of the elderly British woman was confirmed on board the aircraft and announced that none of the family members had been detained.
Experts point out that the cross-border transportation of human remains is subject to strict regulations, and that bodies are generally transported by cargo aircraft rather than passenger planes, and in special coffins.
The surreal incident has raised serious questions regarding both airline safety and passenger screening procedures.
