Woman's neck, back broken in air turbulence on Continental plane

[NM]

from news.com.au

A WOMAN has been paralysed after turbulence struck a Continental plane while she was using the toilet.

The 47-year-old British woman was in the plane's bathroom when it passed through extremely rough air, flinging her against the bathroom ceiling, the Houston Chronicle reports.

She had reportedly disobeyed warnings to remain in her seat while the plane passed through the turbulence.

 

[bambbbam2]

No sympathy at all.

One thing I noticed during a bunch of US flights.. the seat belt light seemed to be on so much, people just end up ignoring it to go to the loo.

 

[nlagalle]

from news.com.au

And let me guess, she'll sue the airline for someone that is possibly her own fault??

 

[thegurio]

I completely acres with what everyone has already said - if you're not going to observe the safety advice well, you're just a candidate for the Darwin Awards...

However my main reason for this post is because last night I went to the toilet on myway home, and I was thinking what would have happened if you were in the funny when that QF flight dropped. I was thinking that you'd be screwed and would hurt yourself a fair but - looks like I was right!

 

[Dave Noble]

On most airlines I would agree that it would be the person's own fault

On US carriers , the problem is (imo), that the airlines cry wolf and leave the seatbelt sign on so much regardless of actual turbulence that people just end up having to ignore it. On a recent AA flight, one of the FAs actually told me , when I spoke about it, basically to ignore it

If the airlines set up an environement where ignoring the signs ends up being the norm, then the airline should take some responsibility

In this instance, I don't know how bad the turbulence was in lead up... if it was bad, then is imo the persons own fault but if it was the normal "lets just leave sign on" approach, then airline's

On an airline such as QF, the seatbellt sign is used much more sparingly and only when there is real turbulence

Dave

 

[tuapekastar]

This thread brings to mind the situation where you just *have* to go...Delhi Belly, Montezuma's revenge, that sort of thing. What is worse? (well, obviously paralysis is)...ignoring crew directions to remain seated/belted, or having a nasty 'accident' in your strides. I'd be off to the lav...

This woman has clearly had a very bad outcome, but we don't know how 'urgent' her situation was, and what we may have done had we been put in the same situation. Of course the opposite is possible...perhaps she just couldn't care about crew directions to remain seated/belted...we'll probably never know.

Is there any reason there could not be seat belts in the can? Or is that a really silly idea? Obviously wouldn't cover all situations but may have helped this lady.

 

[djfuzz]

Is there any reason there could not be seat belts in the can? Or is that a really silly idea? Obviously wouldn't cover all situations but may have helped this lady.

That thought has occurred to me many times when I've been caught in the loo just as the seatbelt sign comes on, having to hurry back to my seat during turbulence.

I saw photos of the Emirates A380 F loos which seem to have a belt at or next to the loo which seem to be a good idea - mind you, being caught on the loo during a steep drop or heavy turbulence is better than being starkers in the shower!

 

[pauly7]

That thought has occurred to me many times when I've been caught in the loo just as the seatbelt sign comes on, having to hurry back to my seat during turbulence.

I was on a flight across the Tasman once which was rough pretty much all the way - not horrifically but enought that walking straight you needed to hang onto something the whole time... It was Air NZ and they kept the seatbelt sign on the entire flight and said they appreciated people would need to use the facilities but to ask for assistance!! (Was quite funny, most people took the risk and stumbled down the aisle by themselves btw)

 

[Flashback]

I much prefer the way Qantas do it e.g. when absolutely necessary it will be on, at all other times they announce "the seatbelt sign is off however we do recommend you keep it buckled at all times while seated".

 

[UP4014]

A bit much to soley blame the the lady with the broken neck I feel, considering she was nearly 50.

Yes, have seen the toilets with the seat belts, good thinking 99.

 

[notzac]

A bit much to soley blame the the lady with the broken neck I feel, considering she was nearly 50.

What does age have to do with it? If she had in fact gotten out of her seat to go to the toilet and had in fact been told to return to her seat, how is this anything but 100% her fault?

 

[UP4014]

What does age have to do with it? If she had in fact gotten out of her seat to go to the toilet and had in fact been told to return to her seat, how is this anything but 100% her fault?

So a planes crashes in bad weather, it it obvious it's the pilots fault as he should not have had his plane there in the first place. OK, she is to blame and so is the pilot for crashing in bad weather.

 

[Flashback]

I'm not sure I'd like a seatbelt that could be used while on the loo, considering it would more than likely make contact with the person's skin.

 

[nlagalle]

So a planes crashes in bad weather, it it obvious it's the pilots fault as he should not have had his plane there in the first place. OK, she is to blame and so is the pilot for crashing in bad weather.

different set of circumstances trying to compare it, but if the bad weather was known in advance and advised not to go, then yes the pilot would be at fault. there is also cases where weather has caused a crashes, where the pilot wouldn't have been at fault.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'm not sure I'd like a seatbelt that could be used while on the loo, considering it would more than likely make contact with the person's skin.

Fair (and possibly slightly yecchy :shock point! Perhaps some other modified form of restraint could substitute for a belt...

 

[Flashback]

Fair (and possibly slightly yecchy :shock point! Perhaps some other modified form of restraint could substitute for a belt...

A single use plunger that drops from the ceiling and locks into place, holding you down should your body feel the need to arise.

 

[bambbbam2]

A single use plunger that drops from the ceiling and locks into place, holding you down should your body feel the need to arise.

Wasn't there one of those at Quagmire's house on Family Guy?

 

[NM]

A single use plunger that drops from the ceiling and locks into place, holding you down should your body feel the need to arise.

Perhaps they could adjust the design of the waste extraction system to impose a vacuum seal as you sit. This of course helps to ensure the body remains attached to the seat in times of turbulence, as well as assisting with remediation of the constipation effects of airline cuisine :shock:.

 

[medhead]

Well I got a speeding ticket for posting to this thread. Fair call. I'm sorry to anyone who was offended by my language.

However, I find that the total lack of empathy displayed in posts #2 and #3 (and maybe others, frankly I couldn't be bothered to read anymore) to be disgustingly callous in it's disregard for the person who will be in a wheel chair or worse for the rest of their life.


Edit: on the seat beat idea. People miss too much for my liking in aircraft loos. I for one will not enjoy strapping myself in with a soggy web belt.

 

[Alanslegal]

Poor lady!

We just don't know her situation and why she needed to go to the toilet at that particular time? Maybe she just couldn't hold it any longer and just had to go - and when you have to go, you have to go.