Woman Dies Minutes After Airport Security Scanner Interferes with Her Pacemaker

A young woman fitted with a pacemaker died at an airport in Russia after passing through airport security scanner.

Diana Tolstova, 30, died minutes after she went through a security scanner at a Russian airport. According to a report from The Telegraph, she was traveling with her husband, Maxim, 33, from Baikal International Airport (UUD) when the airport scanner adversely affected the pacemaker she was fitted with.

The American Heart Association states that “interactions with metal detectors are unlikely to cause clinically significant symptoms in most patients,” but recommends those with pacemakers not “stay near metal detectors longer than is necessary.” It also suggests that if security is “scanning with a hand-held metal detector, to tell security personnel that you have a pacemaker. Ask them not to hold the metal detector near the device any longer than absolutely necessary, or ask for an alternative form of personal search.”

Maxim claims he showed UUD security agents papers regarding the pacemaker. “I don’t know what happened, but she went through [the scanner] anyway,” he told Central European News (CEN) agency.

At the gate, Maxim recounted to CEN, Diana said she felt dizzy and collapsed. He called for help, but the doctors reportedly took several minutes to arrive and had no idea how to help. Maxim claims the doctors did not administer first aid, nor did they call an ambulance.

UUD officials are investigating the incident. An airport representative stated:

Security and airport personnel are given strict instructions about how to handle people with pacemakers, and we warn them never to let a wearer go through a metal detector. In normal circumstances, they see their papers and let them pass. In this case, the patient seems to either have forgotten about it, didn’t know or became confused by the airport security, but every patient receives a strict warning.

[Photo: The Telegraph]