Indian dies on board aircraft

"The pilot decided to re-route the IC 952 flight to Mumbai after 51-year-old Surya Narayana Murthy complained of feeling sick," Abhay Pathak, Regional Manager of Indian Airlines, Gulf Region, told Khaleej Times.

"The aircraft left Dubai at around 12.30am on Saturday and was flying closer to Mumbai when the passenger's condition deteriorated. The matter was informed to airport authorities in Mumbai. Doctors at the airport rushed to the aircraft immediately after it landed. However, they pronounced Murthy dead upon arrival," Pathak said.

He added: "According to the doctors, Murthy was suffering from acute jaundice. But we were not aware of his condition. We provided the best possible assistance to him."

The body of the deceased was shifted to Cooper Hospital in Mumbai. His wife, who was in Dubai, was informed about the tragedy.

"Murthy's body was flown to Hyderabad yesterday. We gave free ticket to his wife to travel to Hyderabad from Dubai. She left for Hyderabad yesterday," Pathak added.

Pathak further said that Murthy was accompanied by another passenger at the Dubai International Airport and they had asked for a wheelchair. "Normally a passenger needs to provide medical certificate for availing himself of the wheelchair but Murthy was not holding any documents. But we still provided him a wheelchair on the humanitarian ground," Pathak added.

Anand Pande, Country Manager of Indian Airlines in the UAE said, "According to the International Civil Aviation Law, medical support should be provided by the airport authorities. Indian Airlines provided all possible assistance to Murthy."