A woman who claims to have witnessed events at the Kotoka International Airport that led to the death of a passenger has rubbished the account given by the Ghana Airport Company Limited of the incident.
The witness, identified as Emelia Van Eck on Facebook, attributed the death of the passenger to the lack of an effective first aid system in Ghana.
In a post on her Facebook page on Friday, June 17, Emelia alleged that after catcalls were made, a nurse showed up at the scene with only “a medical bag filled with paracetamol and plaster”.
In her view, the passenger passed away as a result of system failure.
“I witness the last 10mins of a man’s life …….at the arrival hall at Kotoka. No first aid kit, no defibrillator no oxygen no aid …..no medic personal. the man was uneasy and a friend helped him to sit and within 10mins just like that he rolled his eyes and dropped dead.
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“We kept yelling for help, medical assistance something and a nurse showed with a medical bag filled with paracetamol and plaster. My heart is broken. Could he have been saved …..possibly if there was proper first aid. We have the most expensive cars and houses in Ghana and no first aid kit to save a life?
“May his soul Rest In Peace. I pray Ghana Civil Aviation fix the problem. Life is so fragile ohhhhh,” Emelia wrote on Facebook.
A middle-aged man travelling from the United States of America, arrived on board United Airlines from Dulles International Airport Washington on Friday, at approximately 10:20 am in the company of a relative.
A statement issued on Saturday, June 18 said the passenger complained of tiredness and difficulty in breathing.
The Ghana Airport Company said in a statement that the deceased was offered a wheelchair and given medical aid before he was rushed to the Airport Clinic.
The passenger became unconscious at the arrival hall and received medical attention but was unresponsive.
The statement indicated that he was conveyed to the airport clinic for further attention and he subsequently passed on.
“In line with protocols, the Airport District Police station was immediately informed.
“Ghana Airport Company Limited has commenced an investigation into the incident.
“Management extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a cousin of the passenger has revealed circumstances that made the deceased visit Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson on Connect FM’s Omanbapa morning show on Monday, June 20, a cousin to the deceased, James Baiden, indicated that they were billed to visit their father in Kumasi when they heard the sad news about his passing at the Airport.
“Our mother died last year and our father is in Ghana so they decided to fly over to Ghana so that we can all visit our father in Kumasi.
“My cousin arrived. We were on our way to meet him and we heard he died at the airport upon arrival,” he indicated.
He added that the family is meeting as early as possible to release an official statement on what happened to their relative.
“We have seen the Ghana Airport Company release a statement. We are having a meeting this morning on the issue and we will also release an official statement,” he indicated.
