British family takes dead Grandmother on board EasyJet flight to Gatwick in wheelchair
A flight from Málaga to London Gatwick became the scene of a highly unusual and distressing incident after passengers reported that a British family attempted to board an 89-year-old woman on to the plane who was dead, presenting her as merely asleep in order to avoid the cost and formalities of repatriation.
The events unfolded shortly before departure, when cabin crew noticed that the woman, who had been brought on board in a wheelchair, showed no signs of life. The aircraft halted on its way to the runway and returned to the terminal after emergency protocols were activated.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, the elderly woman was pushed onto the aircraft by five relatives, who allegedly insisted she was only unwell and sleeping. Several passengers claimed they heard family members telling staff “She’s fine, just tired,” and even, “we’re doctors,” in an apparent attempt to avoid scrutiny.
Witnesses say the woman appeared “slumped and unresponsive” from the moment she was seated at the rear of the aircraft. A doctor travelling on the flight reportedly confirmed she had already passed away before boarding.
Shock and anger on board
Passengers expressed disbelief and frustration at the situation, questioning how pre-boarding checks failed to detect the woman’s condition. One traveller wrote on social media that repatriating a deceased person involves complex paperwork and significant costs, speculating that financial motives may have played a role.
Another passenger raised concerns over the assistance service for travellers with reduced mobility, stating she had seen staff holding the woman’s head upright as she was wheeled through the cabin.
EasyJet issues official response
EasyJet firmly rejected claims that it knowingly allowed a deceased person to board. The airline stated that the passenger was alive at the time of boarding and had presented a valid fit-to-fly medical certificate.
In its statement, the airline said the aircraft returned to stand after crew identified that the passenger required urgent medical assistance. “Sadly, the customer passed away following the intervention of emergency services,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Guardia Civil response and major delay
The Guardia Civil attended the aircraft after the alarm was raised, and the woman was officially pronounced dead on board. The flight, scheduled to depart shortly after 11:00am, was delayed for more than 12 hours, eventually taking off at 10:47pm.
No arrests have been made, and authorities have not confirmed whether the family will face further inquiry. Aviation sources note that international repatriation of human remains is a highly regulated process, normally carried out using specialised coffins and official documentation, often via cargo services, and typically involves significant costs for families.
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