Australian couple forced to sit beside dead passenger for hours

An Australian couple’s journey to Venice took a harrowing turn when they were compelled to sit next to a deceased passenger for several hours on a Qatar Airways flight.

Mitchell Ring and his wife, Jennifer Colin, were en route from Melbourne to Doha when a fellow passenger collapsed near their seats. Despite prompt medical assistance from the flight crew, the woman could not be revived. The crew attempted to relocate her to business class but faced challenges due to the aircraft’s configuration. Consequently, they placed the body in a vacant seat adjacent to Mitchell and Jennifer, requesting them to remain in their seats for the remainder of the flight. This situation persisted for approximately four hours until the plane landed in Doha. “It was traumatising. I couldn’t believe we had to sit there and witness this,” Ring said in an interview to A Current Affair.

Upon arrival, the couple was instructed to stay seated while medical personnel boarded to examine the deceased. Ring recounted the distressing experience, noting that the blankets covering the body were removed in their presence, exposing them to the deceased’s face. He expressed disbelief at being asked to remain seated during this process, describing the ordeal as “traumatising.”

Following the incident, both passengers reported receiving no follow-up care or counselling support from the airline. They emphasised the airline’s duty of care towards passengers, suggesting that they should have been contacted to ensure their well-being and offered appropriate support services. “They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff, we should be contacted to make sure, do you need some support, do you need some counselling,” Ring told A Current Affair.

Lack of support from the airline

Qatar Airways has issued a statement expressing condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and apologising for any distress caused to other passengers. The airline is currently investigating the incident and has indicated plans to reach out to those affected in line with their policies and procedures.

The couple had booked their flights through Qantas, which stated that the management of such incidents falls under the responsibility of the operating airline, in this case, Qatar Airways. 

This is something we’ll never forget. Airlines need to do better.

Mitchell Ring

What policies do airlines follow in such situations?

This incident highlights the challenges airlines face when handling medical emergencies and deaths on board. Protocols established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommend that, in the event of a passenger’s death during a flight, the body should be moved to a seat away from other passengers if possible and covered respectfully. However, logistical constraints, such as aircraft layout and seat availability, can complicate these procedures.