Witnesses claim the elderly woman was already dead when five relatives helped her board the Malaga to Gatwick flight, telling staff she was ‘just tired’.
Fiona Leishman Content Editor and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
15:55, 19 Dec 2025Updated 15:57, 19 Dec 2025
Passengers claim the woman was already dead when she was wheeled onto the flight(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
An elderly passenger who was wheeled onto an easyJet flight by relatives had already died, according to shocked holidaymakers.
The 89-year-old British woman was helped on board by five family members, with witnesses claiming the group told airline staff she was poorly and had nodded off. However, shortly before departure, crew members were informed that the woman had died.
The aircraft was subsequently turned back before leaving the runway, resulting in the Spain to Gatwick service being delayed by 12 hours. Fellow passengers say the body had been wheeled to the group’s seats at the rear of the aircraft before the pensioner was lifted into her seat with assistance from five relatives.
The other travellers claimed the party had only managed to board after telling a staff member at the gate who questioned the woman’s apparent poor health that she was ‘just tired’. One passenger even alleges hearing a member of the group tell the staff member it was fine because they were “doctors”, reports the Mirror.
Following boarding of the Malaga to Gatwick service and settling the elderly woman in place, the aircraft started its taxi towards the runway, but moments before departure the plane came to an abrupt halt. According to witnesses, concerned cabin crew had discovered the woman had passed away.
According to easyJet, the elderly woman possessed a fit to fly certificate and was alive when she boarded the aircraft. However, passengers were convinced that something more serious than fatigue was occurring.
Petra Boddington stated: “What were easyJet ground staff thinking today? They asked the family five times if this woman was ok… she was clearly not ok!
“To the naked eye she looked like she was already dead, slumped unconscious in a wheelchair, so why would she be allowed on to the flight and then disrupt everyone’s plans… purely to save the family repatriation?!? If I was drunk they wouldn’t let me on… but apparently dead is ok? ! EasyJet what’s going on?”
The group allegedly told a member of staff during boarding that the elderly woman was just ‘tired'(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Another passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “Everyone on the plane thought she looked she when she arrived – she should never have been passed as fit to fly.”
A third passenger vented her frustration on Facebook. Tracy-Ann Kitching posted: “easyJet – you are unbelievable! Why did you let a dead person on our flight?!
“Special assistance [the service which helps board passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility] are responsible too; they should have raised the issue… I saw her wheeled onto the plane; someone was holding her head as they went past me! An actual doctor on board [confirmed] she was already dead when they put her in her seat.”
Tracy went on: “However, I must show empathy for the poor person who died and the family as well as your cabin and ground crew; what a terrible situation for them. I must also praise the First Officer [co-pilot] who came out and patiently answered our questions. He was professional and personable – thank you.”
Following the removal of the deceased woman from their aircraft, passengers naturally sought answers, with Tracy explaining the co-pilot informed them he would compile a report based on passenger accounts. Addressing the group who had brought the woman aboard, she expressed her hope that Spanish authorities “throw the book at them”.
She noted the family appeared “looking very sheepish” and stated they “should have been removed in handcuffs”.
The fate of the woman’s remains following their removal from the aircraft remains unclear, as does what became of the family members, though they are believed not to have been detained once the woman was confirmed dead. The Gatwick-bound service had been due to depart at 11.15am, with an expected arrival of around 1.10pm.
Instead, passengers endured a delay of nearly 12 hours. The aircraft eventually departed the Spanish resort at 10.47pm local time, touching down in London close to midnight. Whilst passengers received food and beverage vouchers as compensation for the substantial delay, some felt this was insufficient.
Tracy was amongst those who remarked that “what we all want is a flight much earlier”. A spokesperson for the Malaga Civil Guard confirmed they were summoned to the plane due to an elderly British woman, stating: “She was pronounced dead on the aircraft which had been due to leave Malaga for London just after 11am yesterday morning.”
An easyJet representative commented: “Flight EZY8070 from Malaga to London Gatwick returned to stand prior to departure due to a customer onboard requiring urgent medical assistance.
“The flight was met by emergency services however the customer sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the customer, and we are offering support and assistance at this difficult time. The wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority and we would like to thank passengers for their understanding for the delay.”