American Airlines Passenger Dies on Flight After Oxygen is Refused

An American Airlines passenger on Flight 896 en route to from Port-au-Prince Haiti to JFK International on Friday collapsed and died after a flight attendant refused to give her oxygen from tanks on the aircraft.

Passenger Carine Desir, 44, complained that she was not feeling well after she ate her meal, according to family members who accompanied her on the flight. A stewardess gave her water, and few minutes later, Desir told the flight crew she was having trouble breathing and asked for an oxygen mask. The stewardess refused this request twice.

Passengers who witnessed this exchange became upset about the situation and prompted the flight attendants, to consult with the pilot, after which they finally attempted to administer oxygen from a portable tank. The tank, however, was empty.

Then, two doctors and two nurses were happened to be aboard the flight tried to give Desir oxygen from a second portable tank, and this tank was also empty.

Family members were finally able to convince the flight crew to divert to Miami so that Desir could receive medical attention, but she died before the plane could reach the airport.

After she died, her body was moved to the floor in the first-class cabin, and covered with a sheet. The plane did not stop in Miami, but instead continued to JFK where officials removed Desir’s body.

American Airlines officials have refused to comment on this incident so far.