Published on Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Delta responds after claim passenger died of overdose on flight

Delta Air Lines has responded after claims a man died from an overdose on a recent flight.

It follows a viral tweet by passenger Lynne Lyman who said the man was found with 'a needle in arm, passed out in the bathroom.'

Lyman said he was later taken out in a body bag by paramedics.

She urged the airline to supply Narcan kits on all flights.

"The flight attendants were great, they tried everything. As was the man who broke the bathroom door open and pulled him out, and the doctor that tried to help," Lyman tweeted.

"@Delta please practice #harmreduction and get a #NarcanKit on every plane."

Narcan can reverse the effects of an overdose if treated quickly.

"I can't speak to details of the event specifically due to passenger privacy rules. That said, Delta earlier this year made the decision to improve our on board emergency medical kits by adding Narcan. The process to outfit medical kits will begin this fall," Delta said in a statement.

The viral Tweet also prompted Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants to weigh in on the issue.

"Flight Attendants are aviation's first responders and we need the proper tools to respond and save lives. In the air there are no options. I'm so sorry for you, Lynne, and the crew and other passengers who had to watch this," Nelson said.

It occurred on July 13 on a flight from Boston to Los Angeles.

FDA-approved Narcan contains Naloxone which can prevent overdose by opioids.