Panic on Flight as Passengers Attempt to Fly with ‘Dead Body’

Passengers on Flight EZY8070 from Málaga to Gatwick say they witnessed a disturbing moment before takeoff — an elderly woman, believed to be 89, was wheeled onto the plane appearing lifeless. Five relatives accompanied her, reportedly telling crew she was “just tired” and “unwell.”

According to multiple witnesses who spoke to the Daily Mail, a boarding clerk questioned whether the woman was fit to fly, only to be reassured by one of the relatives who allegedly said, “It’s OK, we’re doctors.”

“She didn’t move once,” one passenger recalled. “Everyone could tell something wasn’t right. She looked pale, her hands were cold — people started whispering that she might not even be alive.”

The aircraft began taxiing toward the runway before flight attendants received word that the woman was unresponsive. The captain then halted takeoff and returned the plane to the gate.

Spanish Civil Guard officers boarded the aircraft, where they confirmed the worst. “She was pronounced dead on the aircraft,” a police spokesperson told reporters.

The delay stretched for nearly 12 hours as passengers were escorted off the plane and emergency services handled the situation.

In a statement, easyJet pushed back on reports that the woman was already deceased when she boarded. “Flight EZY8070 from Málaga to London Gatwick returned to stand prior to departure due to a customer onboard requiring urgent medical assistance,” a spokesperson said. “The flight was met by emergency services, however, the customer sadly passed away.”

The airline also claimed the passenger had “appropriate medical clearance” to travel.

But that explanation hasn’t satisfied some travelers. “EasyJet, when did you start letting dead people onto planes?” one passenger posted on social media. “Seriously!”

Another wrote, “This was one of the most bizarre, traumatic things I’ve ever seen. That poor woman.”

The shocking incident has reignited questions about how airlines verify medical fitness for elderly or infirm passengers. Under European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules, travelers deemed medically unfit to fly must present clearance documentation before boarding.

Aviation analyst Darren Hughes told Sky News: “This raises serious procedural concerns. If the passenger was in visible distress or unresponsive, ground staff should have halted boarding immediately. It’s rare, but it highlights the need for clearer on-the-spot medical checks.”

Spanish authorities have opened an inquiry into the woman’s death, including whether she was alive when boarding began. As of Friday, the family members involved have not been publicly identified.