Friday 17 June 2022 12:43 AM Disabled passenger 'suffers fatal injuries after falling down Gatwick Airport ... trends now
A disabled passenger fell to his death on an escalator at Gatwick Airport, it was reported last night.
The man had been waiting for assistance to disembark an EasyJet flight on Wednesday when he became frustrated and left to navigate his way through the busy North Terminal.
His death is the first to be linked to the travel chaos engulfing airports across the country.
A source said: ‘A member of staff came to take [a] woman into the airport but the man was left on the plane. He must not have wanted to wait for the staff member to come back so made his own way into the terminal.
‘While on the escalator the passenger fell down and suffered serious injuries as a result and died. This is a tragic incident which should never have happened. Someone should have been helping him.’
The source told The Sun: ‘There’s been a real issue with staffing problems and some disabled people have had to wait for hours for help.
‘Normal airport staff have had to be reminded not to help disabled passengers if they’re not qualified to, even if it means passengers waiting for hours.’
![A disabled passenger fell to his death after reportedly becoming frustrated by long waits at Gatwick Airport. [File image]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/16/23/59168161-10925327-image-a-23_1655419292698.jpg)
A disabled passenger fell to his death after reportedly becoming frustrated by long waits at Gatwick Airport. [File image]
Britain's beleaguered airports have hit the headlines in recent weeks with flights cancelled last minute, baggage stuck hundreds of miles away and snaking queues becoming the new norm
Travellers are pictured queuing at Gatwick Airport on May 31 as they battled through continued travel disruption during the half term break
The tragic events took place at the international airport in West Sussex at around 1pm on Wednesday when the man, who has not yet been identified, was waiting to leave his easyJet flight
Britain's beleaguered airports have hit the headlines in recent weeks with flights cancelled last minute, baggage stuck hundreds of miles away and snaking queues becoming the new norm.
Shocking scenes from around the country have even shown some holidaymakers forced to sleep on the floor of terminals amid long delays.
Travel expert Paul Charles, from The PC Agency, said: ‘Questions will be asked about the lack of staff available to assist in the middle of the day when this flight arrived. It shows the increasing frustration of some passengers who can’t wait on aircraft for long periods hoping help may eventually arrive.’
Gatwick is one of many airports that have witnessed huge queues and flight chaos caused by staff shortages this month.
Earlier this week, EasyJet revealed it was taking four weeks longer than normal for new cabin crew to receive security passes because of referencing delays.
Holiday plans for millions of Britons continue to hang in the balance as holidaymakers brace for a week of rail chaos.
Gatwick Express cancelled all trains for three days next week and Eurostar axed dozens of services, as last-minute crunch talks continued with Network Rail.
Gatwick outsources its assistance services to provider Wilson James, it was reported.
A spokesman for EasyJet said: ‘A number of our cabin crew provided medical assistance to a passenger at Gatwick
