Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin assert they had no option but to sit next to the deceased passenger during their Qatar Airways flight.
The airline involved in the incident, where a dead body was placed next to a couple on a long-haul flight, has addressed the situation.
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were starting what should have been a dream vacation, but it turned into a nightmare when they were allegedly “forced” to endure the flight while seated next to a deceased passenger.
The couple, reportedly anxious about flying, had left their hometown of Melbourne, Australia, on a 20-hour journey to Venice, Italy. During the Qatar Airways flight, a fellow passenger suddenly passed away in the aisle.
Ring and Colin shared with Australian TV outlet 9Now that cabin crew tried to revive the woman, but she couldn’t be saved, which was a “heartbreaking” sight.
Despite empty seats elsewhere, her body was placed in the same row as the couple, according to Ring.
Colin described feeling “really shocked” and called the experience “traumatic.”
“We completely understand that the airline isn’t responsible for the woman’s death, but there should be a protocol in place to care for the passengers onboard,” she said.
The airline has addressed the incident (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for Qatar Airways has released a statement regarding the incident.
In an email to CNN, the airline expressed, “Our thoughts are with the family members of the passenger who sadly passed away on-board a recent Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia.
” The statement continued, “We have been in contact with the family to offer our condolences and have also spoken directly with the affected passengers to address their concerns.
The safety and comfort of all our passengers is of paramount importance to us.”
For the final four hours of their journey, the “traumatized” couple remained seated next to the body until landing in Doha, Qatar. However, Colin managed to move to an empty seat across the aisle.
Mitchell Ring said he sat next to the passenger who had died on the flight (YouTube/A Current Affair)
Ring mentioned that the couple was instructed to remain seated when the jet landed, allowing paramedics to retrieve the body.
“I can’t believe they told us to stay… it wasn’t nice,” he said, describing the moment when he saw medics remove the blanket covering the deceased passenger.
The couple said they were not initially contacted by the airline and had expected counseling.
Qantas Airways, where the couple purchased their tickets, told CNN that it had been in touch with them and followed up with Qatar Airways.
In a statement, Qantas explained, “The process for handling incidents onboard is managed by the operating airline, which in this case is Qatar Airways.
” As for the couple, Ring stated they are still struggling to process the traumatic experience.
“I don’t really know how I feel and would like to speak to somebody to make sure I’m alright,” he added.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/A Current Affair
Source News: UNILAD
