During a recent Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha, a female passenger suffered a medical emergency and, despite the crew’s efforts, could not be revived. Due to logistical challenges, her body remained in the economy section, covered with a blanket, for the remainder of the flight.
Passengers seated nearby expressed distress over the situation and reported a lack of follow-up support from the airline. Qatar Airways has extended condolences to the deceased’s family and is reviewing the incident to address the concerns raised.
Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were en route from Melbourne, Australia, to Doha, Qatar, when the unidentified female passenger suffered a medical emergency in the aisle of the long-haul Qatar Airways flight, “A Current Affair” reported.
“Unfortunately the lady couldn’t be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch,” Ring told the TV show Tuesday.
A shocking photo of the grim ordeal captured Ring watching his TV as the woman’s body sat next to him.
Ring claims he spent four hours sitting next to the woman’s blanket-covered body.
When they finally landed, the couple — who were flying to Italy — said the airline crew told them to remain in their seats while first responders came to retrieve the body.
The couple booked their flight through Australian airline Qantas, they said.
A Qantas spokesperson told PEOPLE: “The process for handling incidents onboard an aircraft like this is managed by the operating airline, which in this case is Qatar Airways.”
The company said that “Colin made us aware of the incident on a Qatar Airways flight via email on Saturday afternoon [Feb. 22].” Qantas added that they are in touch with the couple and have followed up with Qatar Airways.
In a statement, a Qatar Airways spokesperson told multiple outlets, including news.com.au, “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the passenger who sadly passed away on board our flight.”
“We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused,” the Qatar spokesperson said, “and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”
Qatar Airways did not immediately reply to PEOPLE when asked for comment.
