According to Fox News field producer Krista Garrison, who was on the flight, multiple airline passengers waiting for takeoff became ill while taxiing behind over a dozen other planes at Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Monday.
Garvin reported that passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta were forced to wait in the heat of 111 degrees without air conditioning after the pilot informed them the plane would have to return to its gate due to multiple emergency situations.
As the situation deteriorated, flight attendants could be seen running down and up the aisles carrying oxygen tanks. Multiple passengers were unconscious and others had soiled their clothes.
Babies screamed as passengers were told to remain seated while they waited for paramedics to board the plane. Garvin said at least five people were seen being wheeled off the plane.
The pilot told passengers to “hit the call button” if they were experiencing a medical crisis.
According to Garvin’s account, passengers were given the option to leave the plane. However, they were warned that it could take several days for them to find another flight.
Garvin reported that many passengers chose to remain on the plane. However, temperatures began to rise inside.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures at the airport ranged between 111 degrees and 115 on Monday afternoon.
Garvin stated that after a total of 4 hours on the hot aircraft, stretchers were brought onto the plane. The passengers were then asked to return back to the airport.
Later, passengers were informed that flight attendants also fell ill and it was possible the flight would not take off. Garvin reported that one flight attendant had been wheeled on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.
The flight was rescheduled for 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The flight was canceled once again when passengers woke up.
Harry Reid International Airport’s representative said on Tuesday that the airport was unaware of the incident. Delta Airlines released a statement saying that it was investigating the cause of this incident.
The airline apologized for the unpleasant experience that our customers endured on flight 555, which was scheduled to depart from Las Vegas on July 17 and ended up in Atlanta. This resulted ultimately in the cancellation of the flight. Delta teams are investigating the circumstances which led to the uncomfortable temperature inside the cabin. We appreciate the efforts made by our employees and first responders from Harry Reid International.
The customers were also given a direct apology as well as monetary compensation.
