TUI flight attendant rushed to hospital after 'falling from plane'
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A flight attendant was airlifted to hospital after reportedly falling from a plane when the stairs were not at the aircraft door. An investigation was launched after the woman is said to have fell from the TUI aircraft at East Midlands Airport, on Monday. Emergency services were called to the scene following the incident, which happened at around 4.30pm. A TUI flight attendant is said to have opened the door of the plane as the aircraft was preparing to depart, expecting the stairs to have still been attached to the aircraft. However, the stairs weren't attached anymore and the woman stepped into a void and fell.
A reader told Nottinghamshire Live: "She opened the door, took a step out and the stairs that were supposed to be there were not there for whatever reason. She fell to the tarmac and I heard she was seriously injured.". A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 4.31pm on 16 December to a medical emergency at East Midlands Airport. We sent a paramedic in a solo response car and an ambulance. The air ambulance was also in attendance. One patient was taken by ambulance to Queen’s Medical Centre.".
The Air Accident Investigations Branch has confirmed it is investigating the incident to establish its circumstances. A spokeswoman told Nottinghamshire Live: "An accident which occurred at East Midlands Airport on Monday 16th December was notified to the AAIB.
"An investigation has been launched and inspectors have visited the airport to gather evidence and make enquiries to understand more about the circumstances.” The responsibility for the attachment of staircases to a plane usually lies with the ground handling agent, working on behalf of the airline.
