Mumbai: Wheelchair Unavailable, 80-YO Man Walks To Terminal; Collapses & Dies

In an unfortunate incident, an 80-year-old man collapsed and died of a heart attack after walking a few kilometres at the Mumbai airport because of the lack of wheelchair assistance. The man was accompanying his wife who was in a wheelchair. The couple had arrived from New York to Mumbai on an Air India flight on Monday, February 12. 

As per the reports, the couple had booked two wheelchair assistance. However, when they arrived at the Mumbai airport, only one wheelchair assistance showed up. So the deceased husband decided that he would walk and allowed his wife to take the assistance. 

What happened at the airport?

However, after walking around 1.5 km to reach the immigration area, the husband collapsed due to a heart attack. He was immediately rushed to the Mumbai airport medical facility and from there to Nanavati Hospital. Unfortunately, he didn't survive. 

The couple was an Indian-origin US passport holder. They arrived in Mumbai on an Air India flight AI-116 that left New York on Sunday. The flight was supposed to land at 11:30 am but it was delayed and landed at 2:10 pm. 

The airport and airline speak about the unfortunate incident

An airport staff recounted the lack of facilities and said, "There were 32 wheelchair passengers on this flight, but only 15 wheelchairs with accompanying staff on ground waiting to help them."   

An Air India spokesperson said that due to heavy demand for wheelchairs, the deceased passenger was asked to wait until the assistance arrived. But, he chose to walk along with his wife. 

Air India has expressed grief and condolences for the "unfortunate incident". The airline is "in constant touch with the family members of the bereaved, extending necessary assistance".

A ground staffer further talked about the problems faced at the airport due to the lack of wheelchair assistance and said, "We've often found that aged couples aren't comfortable parting with the spouse and travelling alone from the aircraft to the airport terminal. Those with mobility issues, and hearing problems prefer to stay with each other when moving from the aircraft through the terminal building."