Tragedy struck a family returning home to Bengaluru from the United States as a 69-year-old woman passed away midair during their journey. According to sources at the Kempegowda International Airport, the woman and her son had boarded Air India flight AI176 from San Francisco, which was the airline’s longest direct flight from the US to Bengaluru.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, and the news has left the family and friends of the deceased woman in shock. The woman’s identity has not been disclosed, and it is unclear what caused her death mid-flight.
There was a medical emergency midair around 11 pm on Wednesday. The crew provided all assistance, but the passenger died on board,” an Air India official at the airport said.
The woman had raised a complaint of feeling uneasy on the flight and as per sources, died due to natural causes.
The pilots had alerted the airport officials before the flight landed at around 7:30 am on Thursday. As per airport sources, the woman’s body was taken in an ambulance to the airport hospital, before it was transferred to a government hospital for an autopsy.
A similar incident occurred in 2021 when a passenger died onboard an Air India flight which was returning to Delhi from Newark in the United States. The deceased passenger was from the US and was travelling with his wife.
Air India released a statement expressing their condolences to the family and confirming the incident. The statement read, “We regret to inform you that our passenger onboard AI176 from San Francisco to Bengaluru passed away on board the aircraft. Our deepest condolences to the family.”
The airline also assured that all necessary procedures were followed, and the woman’s body was immediately moved to the hospital upon landing in Bengaluru. It is not yet known if the woman had any pre-existing medical conditions or if she complained of any discomfort during the flight.
Long-haul flights can be exhausting, and passengers are encouraged to take precautions to ensure their comfort during the journey. Experts recommend staying hydrated, stretching, and taking short walks around the cabin to prevent blood clots.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of passenger safety and well-being during air travel. Airline companies need to ensure that passengers are adequately informed about potential risks and are provided with the necessary facilities to prevent any adverse events.
The family of the deceased woman is yet to make a statement on the incident. The news has sent shockwaves across the city and serves as a reminder to all air travellers to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during long flights.
