An 85-year-old vegetarian passenger tragically died after choking on a meat-based meal while flying with Qatar Airways. The incident occurred on June 30, 2023, during a flight from Los Angeles to Colombo. Dr. Asoka Jayaweera, a retired cardiologist from Southern California, had pre-ordered a vegetarian meal for the 15.5-hour journey but was instead served a regular meal containing meat.
Incident Details
Dr. Jayaweera was informed by a flight attendant that there were no vegetarian options available. He was told to “eat around” the meat in the provided meal. Sadly, while attempting to do so, he began choking and subsequently lost consciousness.
Medical Response and Emergency Landing
The flight crew promptly attempted to assist Dr. Jayaweera, and remote medical advisors from MedAire were contacted. Despite these efforts, his condition deteriorated. The flight made an emergency landing in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was rushed to a hospital. Dr. Jayaweera was pronounced dead on August 3, 2023, due to aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection caused by inhaling food or liquids.
Legal Action Against Qatar Airways
In light of this tragedy, Dr. Jayaweera’s son, Surya Jayaweera, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Qatar Airways. The lawsuit claims negligence on the airline’s part regarding meal service and the medical response during the emergency. Surya seeks $128,821 in damages, which is the statutory minimum.
Montreal Convention Implications
- The complaint highlights that Qatar and the United States are both signatories of the Montreal Convention.
- This international treaty governs airline liability for onboard injuries and fatalities.
- The convention sets a statutory payout limit of approximately $175,000 for such claims.
Broader Concerns on Airline Safety
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding airline protocols related to dietary restrictions and the care afforded to passengers, particularly elderly ones. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Other travelers have also reported issues related to specific dietary needs while flying.
Other Notable Incidents
- British reality star Jack Fowler nearly died on a Qatar Airways flight to Dubai last year due to a severe nut allergy.
- A Singapore Airlines flight had to divert to Paris when a woman with a shellfish allergy became gravely ill after being served shrimp.
The tragic death of Dr. Jayaweera calls for a reassessment of how airlines manage dietary requests and handle medical emergencies on board, ensuring that passengers are provided with safe and appropriate options throughout their journey.
