Family of passenger killed by lightning strike to sue airline
The family of a woman who died after being struck by lightning at an airport is suing American Airlines and US Airways.
It is also suing Columbia Metropolitan Airport in the US.
Mother of two Sonya Dockett, 52, was hit by a lightning bolt as she exited a flight that had been diverted to the airport due to a thunderstorm.
The airlines, which merged in 2015, and the airport are being sued for failing to take necessary safety precautions to protect passengers from storms or lightning.
"Ms. Dockett came to her untimely death as a direct and proximate result of the defendants’ negligent, grossly negligent, willful, wanton, and reckless conduct or failure," the lawsuit states.
"Were it not for the defendants’ reckless disregard for the safety of passengers aboard US Airways Flight 5137, Sonya would be alive today," said family attorney Ken Suggs.
"Common sense should have informed those in charge not to send passengers onto an open tarmac in the rain as a dangerous storm approached."
Passengers were held on the aircraft for 45 minutes at the airport before being asked to disembark to the airport terminal.
It was then that Dockett, who was travelling to see her daughter play in a basketball match, was struck by lightning in front of her family, as she ran from the plane to the concourse. She suffered burns and died of her injuries more than a month later on August 5.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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