An elderly passenger who asked for wheelchair assistance upon his Mumbai arrival was asked to wait due to heavy demand. The 80-year-old passenger, Baby Patel, chose to walk instead from the aircraft to the terminal, but collapsed and passed away during the immigration process. Another report stated that the elderly died in the hospital.
The horrible incident occurred on February 12, 2024. The passenger flew from New York and was accompanied by his wife, who was also wheelchair bound. The octogenarian of Indian origin carried a US passport. He opted to walk with his 76 year old wife, and after trudging for 1.5 kilometers, he collapsed en route to the immigration office near the APHO office. The medical personnel at the scene administered CPR and transported them to Nanavati Hospital. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took cognizance of the passenger’s death and issued notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asking the aviation regulator to submit a report within four weeks. Per some media reports, there were 32 wheelchair passengers on Air India’s AI 116 flight from New York to Mumbai. However, the ground staff had only 15 for assistance.
NHRC takes cognizance of death of #AirIndia‘s elderly flyer due to lack of wheelchair, issues notice to aviation body
https://t.co/yKDadnBb0L— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) February 21, 2024
The DGCA swung into action upon the NHRC’s notice and slapped the airline with a hefty Rs 30 lakh fine. In its statement, the aviation body stated that “an advisory has been issued to all airlines to ensure an adequate number of wheelchairs during embarking and disembarking.”
Air India fined Rs 30 lakh for non-availability of wheelchair causing death of 80-year-old flyer
Times Network’s @aruneels brings in more details
Watch #DailyMirror with @SnehaMKoshy | #AirIndia #DGCA pic.twitter.com/TLmkKJEmjL
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) February 29, 2024
Wish the NHRC took cognizance of the gross atrocities across the hinterland where the lesser mortals are deprived of ambulances, natal care, and so much more that the privileged take for granted. Or do they have to buy an Air India ticket to avail of your services?
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