B747-437B

More on this story, including pictures.

I can definitely see how there was an issue getting her into the seats.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-fat-fly.html

aubreyfromwheaton

lots of unknowns... was she on dialysis to begin with.. did she decide to just stop getting dialysis on her trip.. did her kidney function decline in hungary... how much weight did she gain.. was she compliant with her medicines etc

and what caused her death? blood clot? heart attack? electrolyte disturbance?

sounds like she had lethal chronic disease to me and was unable to be transported safely...who's to say she wouldnt have dropped dead on the plane over the Atlantic, or in her own bed in her own house.

One must wonder how she was txported to Hungary in the first place????

GUWonder

By DL and KL in September.

Passmethesickbag

This unfortunate woman appears to have dug her own grave over many years through her lifestyle. At least she got to die in the country of her birth, sadly not with dignity, judging by the Mail pictures. It seems highly unlikely that she would have lived another year either in Hungary or in the USA, and has already been pointed out, even her lawyer acknowledges that she chose to interrupt her medical treatment for the duration of her visit. So, to me, the lawsuit seems spurious in the extreme. Additionally, I don't believe that either Hungary or the Czech Republic are subservient to US jurisdiction.

skylady

As sad is this story is, it has nothing to do with the air carriers on her itinerary.

skylady

She didn't pass because of her ticket, but unfortunately, her health.

Scrooge McDuck

Sad end. However, if I look at the pictures than I can imagine that mobility was the issue for not flying her back to the US. And this involved security for the other passengers. I cannot see, why there should be any legal case, especially if one considers that she refused medical treatment in Hungary or Europe.

pinworm

It's nobody's fault but her's that she did not fit. You cannot get 10 pounds into a 4 pound bag. The airline did what they could but I don't think they have responsibility here.

RTW1

Must be a special combo ticket... 3 seats and a special boarding group, including fire crew.

And then puting the blame with an airline

DeafFlyer

While I prefer it over being carried like a sack of potatoes, I cannot agree that it isn't as dangerous as it looks. I have been carried up and down the steps in aisle chairs multiple times, and every time it was scary. One time, the person at the bottom nearly slipped on the steps. I've decided that I will only fly to cities where they use jet bridges after that experience. That way I only have to worry about it if there is a diversion, or some other unforeseen reason for it. It's a long way down to the ground on some of those stairs or ladders. If I had actually fallen, i would have fallen like a sack of potatoes.

CTJoyce

It is really easy to sit and play armchair quarterback on this one because we don't have all the facts but one thing that really annoys me is when persons of size try to lump themselves into the disabled category. As someone with a legitimate disability (low vision due to albinism, was 20/100+ for most of my life, 20/70 now with glasses) it always gets my blood going when the overweight try and claim they have the same issues and need the same kinds of protection as I do, or friends of mine with HPS, anyone with a spinal injury requiring a wheelchair, those with no usable sight, or the deaf.

Yes I am aware she lost a leg (due to her diabetes), and yes I am aware that a lot of the additional weight was due to water weight from her kidneys not functioning properly (again most likely a complication from diabetes or being a person of size), however one doesn't just develop these problems out of the blue. Weight is something you absolutely can control, regardless of your body type. For instance last march my Ex and I decided that we both needed to lose weight after comparing pictures of ourselves then vs when we started dating in 08. We started going to the gym but neither of us was really seeing any results (30 minutes of cardio, 30 minutes of weights) so we got a tip from a friend to start using the app LoseIt. After starting this program (which is essentially just a calorie counting app) we both started seeing pretty significant losses just in a couple weeks. Now almost 8 months later I am down from 240 to 175, and I don't know what her weight is, but I know the last time I saw her she said she had lost 25lbs in the same time span (and was looking much healthier and happier). So yes everyone has a body shape, and no matter what you do it may not be a perfect model body, however if you eat right and just do something as simple as go for a walk every day you can keep yourself down to a manageable size. Hell on this "diet" I still eat carbs, still have my grande eggnog latte in the morning, still eat oreos and icecream, and at least once a week get myself a 5 guys burger, but all in moderation, and that is the key. I get 2,100 calories a day to play with, more if I go to the gym, and I just eat within that (which isn't hard) and maintain my weight.

So sorry for the rant but TL;DR: She did it to herself, it was avoidable, why the hell did she leave the country if she needed medical assistance in the US, and like traditional ugly americans they are suing everyone they can think of so that they don't need to take any blame themselves.

FearFree

I love the rational of not wanting to get medical treatment there, because the doctors locally wouldn't have known about her "extensive medical history," because as we all know, the internet doesn't exist in Hungary, nor do phones or faxes, so communication with the state-side Dr. would have been impossible.

If I have a reasonable choice, I obviously want my primary care Dr. treating me, but here is a great example of a recent experience I had with a Dr. at an "Urgent Care" center:

I was a day away from leaving on a work trip and developed a rash on my upper body, for unknown reasons. It was after hours for my Dr., so I went to a local Urgent Care center. I explained to the Dr. there that I was concerned and hoped to have some kind of results before my trip, since I would be away from home, and his response was "While I understand your concern, the doctors there would have just as much knowledge about you as I do."

It was a good point, that even if she had to go to an ER state-side, the doctors wouldn't know her any better (until her Dr. came in/called). Refusing treatment is what lead to her death, not being rejected transit that wasn't possible.

pinniped

That was my first thought...with the second being that Hungary isn't exactly a remote village in sub-Saharan Africa. While it's not the first place I'd choose for an elective surgery, I wouldn't refuse emergency medical treatment there either.

I fail to see how the airline is to blame.

Jaimito Cartero

You don't know what you're talking about. 425 pounds, unless she was two feet tall, would fit in two seats. If she were tall, there's even a chance she could fit (very snugly) into a single seat.

CDTraveler

Did you see the photos at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ampaign=14907?

Perhaps you might want to reconsider your statement.