Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said King Shaka International Airport’s (KSIA) medical emergency service ER24 responded in line with the Civil Aviation Regulations to an incident on Saturday involving a passenger who collapsed and died.
Acsa spokesperson Ernest Mulibana said Acsa had noted and wished to clarify the social media reports regarding the medical emergency process followed during a regrettable incident that occurred on September 14 at KSIA.
“Our stakeholders should rest assured that the airport’s medical emergency (ER24) responded to the incident in line with the Civil Aviation Regulations,” he said.
In a statement on Sunday, Acsa confirmed that an unidentified male passenger had died at KSIA.
“The passenger reportedly collapsed at the airport terminal’s domestic arrival area. Emergency services were immediately called and attended to him, but he was unfortunately declared dead on the scene.”
Acsa offered condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased passenger.
Mulibana said that while the incident was handled in line with the Civil Aviation Regulations, Acsa acknowledged that the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) currently at KSIA were out of order.
He said the installed AED model had been discontinued, and Acsa was in the process of procuring new models.
“To mitigate any possible risks, our medical response strategy has had to be revised to ensure that we are able to swiftly respond to emergencies within the airport,” said Mulibana.
As a result, Mulibana, said Acsa had contracted ER24 to provide services for a fully equipped ambulance and paramedics team.
“ER24 is the primary response to stabilise and resuscitate persons in need at the airport, and transfer to nearby hospitals for further treatment. The services comprise basic life support (BLS) and intermediate life support (ILS), as well as advanced life support (ALS) on an ad hoc basis,” he said.
Mulibana also noted that the airport has an on-site clinic located at Domestic Departures level that operates from 8am to 4.30pm during the week.
“In addition, the airport terminal is equipped with first aid boxes and appointed first aiders are available throughout the facility,” he said.
The Mercury