The Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has been accused of negligence following the death of a passenger who arrived in the country on board a United Airlines flight from Washington.
The incident occurred Friday, June 17, 2022, at the Kotoka International Airport after the deceased had touched down from the flight.
According to reports, the deceased man, who complained of tiredness later went unconscious leading to his death.
Emelia Van Eck, a passenger who claimed to be on board the same flight with the victim explained the circumstances leading to the man’s death and attributed it to a lack of medical attention at the airport.
“I witness the last 10mins of a man’s life …….at the arrival hall at Kotoka. No first aid kit, no defibrillator no oxygen no aid …..no medic personnel. the man was uneasy and a friend helped him to sit and within 10mins just like that he rolled his eyes and dropped dead. We kept yelling for help, medical assistance something, and a nurse showed with a medical bag filled with paracetamol and plaster.
“My heart is broken. Could he have been saved …..possibly if there was proper first aid? We have the most expensive cars and houses in Ghana and no first aid kit to save a life? May his soul Rest In Peace. I pray Ghana Civil Aviation fixes the problem. Life is so fragile ohhhhh,” she posted on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Airport Company Limited in a statement issued Saturday, June, 18, confirmed the unfortunate incident and said the passenger complained of tiredness and had difficulty in breathing.
They noted that the deceased, a middle-aged man later became unconscious and died on arrival at the Airport clinic while receiving medical care.
“The passenger was reported to have complained of tiredness and had difficulty in breathing. He was subsequently offered a wheelchair by the Ground Handler.
“The passenger became unconscious at the Arrival Hall and received medical attention but was unresponsive. He was conveyed to the Airport Clinic for further attention and he subsequently passed on,” the statement explained.
Management of the GACL who expressed their deepest sympathy to the victim’s family indicated that they have commenced an investigation into the matter.
