FlySafair confirmed on Monday that a passenger died aboard flight FA417, which was en route from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport to Johannesburg.
FlySafair reacts to passenger death
Kirby Gordon, the airline’s chief marketing officer, said that before departure, airport medical staff had assessed the passenger and cleared them fit to fly.
However, the passenger’s health deteriorated mid-flight.
“Our cabin crew, together with medical professionals who were among the passengers, did everything possible to assist, but tragically the person passed away before the flight landed,” Gordon explained.
The airline has acknowledged that the event was traumatic for everyone on board and has opened access to professional counselling services.
These services are available not only to passengers but also to staff members who were directly involved in the incident.
Gordon added that while FlySafair crews receive training in handling medical emergencies, the company will also conduct an internal review to assess the incident and identify lessons for the future.
What eyewitnesses saw
Passengers who were on board the flight have described the distressing experience on social media.
One passenger, Golo Moahi, wrote:
“I can’t deal. I work with [these] things on a daily basis but that one just traumatised me.”
Another eyewitness, Motsiri Mohale, compared the experience to past incidents he had witnessed at airports:
“I have been working at the airport for almost 20 years. I have seen people dying while waiting for their flight to board. The latest incident was of a lady who collapsed and passed away just after getting off an aeroplane. She was holding a bundle of flowers. She came to Gauteng to celebrate her child’s birthday. Her husband was sitting there helplessly.”
A third passenger, identified on TikTok as Duduzile.rt, wrote:
“All I can think of is the cry of his daughter. This is honestly the most traumatic flight experience I’ve ever had. May he rest in peace.”
No further details have been released about the identity of the deceased passenger.
For now, FlySafair continues to liaise with the family of the deceased, while ensuring that those who witnessed the event have access to psychological support.