Man Attempts to Board Flight with Deceased Wife at Tenerife Airport
An elderly man was intercepted at Tenerife South Airport's security checkpoint while attempting to board a flight with his deceased wife in a wheelchair, prompting an investigation.
An elderly man recently tried to board a flight at Tenerife South Airport, pushing his deceased wife in a wheelchair as if she were a regular passenger.
The unusual incident happened at the security checkpoint, specifically at the metal detector. No one suspected anything until a security guard, performing a routine check, noticed the woman wasn't responding. This immediately triggered emergency procedures.
According to DIARIO DE AVISOS, the man was pushing his wife in a wheelchair, and at first glance, they looked like an elderly couple preparing to fly. However, after they went through the archway, the guard sensed something was wrong.
This event at Tenerife South Airport's security checkpoint is similar to another case that occurred just days before. In that incident, a man successfully boarded an EasyJet flight from Malaga to London with his deceased wife. On the EasyJet flight, it was the cabin crew who, before takeoff, realized the woman had no vital signs. The airline stated that the passenger had a medical certificate allowing her to fly, and she died on board the aircraft.
At Tenerife South, an airport worker explained that "the security guard approached the woman, and the man handed over the wheelchair. When the guard took the woman's hand, she noticed her temperature was unusually low and she wasn't breathing. The employee immediately told her supervisor. Within minutes, emergency protocols were activated, and many security agents, Civil Guard officers, and forensic staff arrived."
The husband initially told authorities that his wife had died a few hours earlier, right there within the airport. However, some airport staff reported that the man repeatedly tried to blame the airport for his wife's death, a claim that authorities are now investigating.
The man was detained but cooperated with officers as they carried out the necessary procedures. The investigation is ongoing to clarify how the woman died and to determine if any criminal responsibility is involved.