The 81-year-old plunged six foot from the lift onto the tarmac while getting help off the plane on November 28. He was in a critical condition before passing away on December 7.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation following a heart-rending event at Edinburgh Airport, where an 81-year-old passenger met with a tragic accident. The incident, which occurred in late November, involved the passenger falling from an assistance lift while disembarking the plane.
The elderly individual had sought special assistance for deplaning and was being transported using an Ambulift. During the process, it is reported that the passenger leaned over to hand a bag to a ground worker and subsequently fell approximately six feet from the platform. The fall resulted in severe head injuries, leading to his unfortunate demise approximately ten days later in the hospital.
Police Scotland, along with the Health and Safety Executive, are rigorously investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. The airport’s spokesperson expressed profound condolences to the family of the deceased and assured full cooperation with the regulatory authorities in their inquiry.
Further, a spokesperson for the Crown Office stated, “The Procurator Fiscal has received reports in connection with the death of an 81-year-old man in Edinburgh.” They added, “A joint investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing and once complete will be fully considered by the Procurator Fiscal.”
The incident raises critical questions about the safety measures and protocols in place for assisting elderly or mobility-impaired passengers at airports. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected to shed light on potential areas for improvement in airport assistance services, ensuring such tragic events do not recur.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
