An easyJet flight from Malaga to London became the scene of an unusual and disturbing drama after passengers said an elderly British woman was brought on board in a wheelchair despite already being dead.
According to passenger accounts, the woman’s relatives persuaded ground staff to allow her onto the aircraft, saying she was ‘just tired’. Moments before takeoff, however, cabin crew realized she had died, forcing the aircraft to return to the terminal and delaying the flight by nearly 12 hours.
The incident occurred on flight EZY8070 from Malaga to London Gatwick. The Daily Mail reported that the 89 year old woman was assisted onto the plane by five family members. Passengers told the newspaper that relatives said her condition was poor but claimed she was asleep.
As the aircraft taxied toward the runway, cabin crew became suspicious and the plane stopped abruptly shortly before takeoff. Medics were called on board, where the woman was declared dead.
A passenger identified as Elizabeth Rowland said she believed from the moment she saw the woman that ‘she was not with us’. She said family members tried to wake her before boarding, saying, ‘Can you hear me? We’re about to get on the flight,’ and even attempted to give her a drink.
“They were talking to her and behaving as if she was alive,” Rowland said. She added that when the plane returned to the terminal and paramedics rushed on board, none of the relatives appeared distressed. “They were not crying and did not seem shocked,” she said.
Another passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “Everyone on the plane thought she looked dead when she arrived. There was no reason to consider her fit to fly.”
A different passenger voiced anger on social media, writing on Facebook, “easyJet, this is unbelievable. Why was a dead person allowed on our flight?”
British media suggested the motive may have been financial. Repatriating a body between countries is a complex and costly process that usually involves cargo flights, official documentation and death registration, with costs often reaching thousands of pounds. Without travel insurance, families may have to cover the expenses themselves and face lengthy legal and bureaucratic procedures.
A spokesperson for Spain’s Civil Guard in Malaga confirmed police were called to the aircraft following reports of an elderly British woman. “She was declared dead on board the plane, which was due to depart from Malaga to London shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday,” the spokesperson said.
easyJet said the flight returned to stand before departure after a passenger required urgent medical assistance. “Emergency services attended the aircraft and sadly the passenger passed away,” the airline said. “Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and we are offering support during this difficult time. The welfare of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority, and we thank customers for their understanding following the delay.”