Qantas apologies to diabetic passenger
The New Zealand Herald reports today that Qantas has apologised to a diabetic who fell into a coma after airport staff refused to let him take his insulin on board a flight from Auckland to Christchurch.
The report says that Tui Russell, a 43-year-old Auckland chef, was told by check-in staff at Auckland last month he could not take the clearly-labelled medication on board because it was dangerous.
As a result , he had a severe attack on the flight and was hospitalised for two weeks after falling into a coma shortly before landing at Christchurch Airport.
Qantas yesterday admitted Mr Russell was “wrongly advised” and apologised, saying passengers were permitted to take essential medication and prescriptions on board in their hand luggage.
The rport says that even at the height of the furore over the alleged bomb plot in Britain in August, when liquids such as face creams and sports drinks were banned for international flights, passengers were still allowed to carry on essential non-prescription medicines, including insulin.
Mr Russell told the New Zealand Herald that Qantas had offered him a free return flight from Auckland to Christchurch, but he also wanted help from the airline to recover $500 in hospital and medication bills.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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