A British family has been accused of trying to ship a dead relative on a ship. EasyJet flight from Malaga, Spain, to London Gatwick on Thursday, passengers said.
The woman, reportedly 89, was taken to the plane by five family members, who told airline staff that she was unwell and had fallen asleep.
Witnesses said the woman in a wheelchair was pushed to the back of the plane and lifted to her seat. Some claimed to have heard a family member tell a boarding school employee, “It’s okay, she’s just tired,” adding, “It’s okay, we’re doctors.”
Just before takeoff, the cabin crew realized the woman had died and the plane turned around, delaying the flight by 12 hours.
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Petra Boddington, a passenger, said: “easyJet, when did you start letting dead people on planes? Seriously!” Another, Tracy-Ann Kitching, added: “I saw her being carried onto the plane – someone was holding her head as they passed me! A doctor on board confirmed she was already dead when they sat her down.”
EasyJet has denied that a deceased person boarded the plane. The airline said the passenger had a certificate of fitness to fly and was alive when she boarded.
“The flight returned to the apron before take-off due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical assistance. The flight was attended to by emergency services but sadly the customer passed away,” a spokesperson said.
The Civil Guard in Malaga Confirmed officers attended the plane and the woman was pronounced dead on board. No arrests have been made.