Airline Incident: 82-Year-Old Woman Falls at Delhi Airport
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: An alarming incident at Delhi’s IGI Airport has raised significant concerns regarding passenger assistance for the elderly. Raj Pasricha, an 82-year-old woman and wife of a decorated Lt-General, suffered a fall after Air India allegedly failed to provide a pre-booked wheelchair. She is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Command Hospital Air Force in Bengaluru.
On March 4, Pasricha arrived at Delhi airport to board a flight to Bengaluru. Due to a lack of available wheelchairs, she was forced to walk with the assistance of a family member. Unfortunately, she collapsed near the Air India counter. Her granddaughter, Parul Kanwar, shared her distress on social media, claiming that airline staff refused to help her grandmother.
In response, Air India refuted the allegations, stating that Pasricha arrived later than the recommended two hours prior to departure. An official claimed that due to unprecedented demand at that time, a wheelchair could not be provided within the 15 minutes the family waited. They asserted that Pasricha chose to walk with her relatives instead.
Kanwar recounted that they sought assistance from Air India staff and the airport help desk for nearly an hour, yet received no help. They were also denied the use of a free wheelchair from another airline. Tragically, the wheelchair only arrived after Pasricha fell, and she boarded the flight without a proper medical check-up, sustaining injuries that included a bleeding lip and head trauma.
During the flight, cabin crew provided ice packs and arranged for medical care upon landing. Once at Bengaluru airport, a doctor attended to her, but complications arose, leading to her admission to the ICU. Doctors are currently monitoring her for potential brain bleeding and weakness on the left side.
As incidents like this unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of reliable assistance for elderly passengers traveling through airports. For those seeking travel deals and offers, visit Looffers.com for the latest discounts and promotions.
Stay informed and ensure that you or your loved ones receive the necessary support during travel.
