CANCER SUFFERER CHUCKED OFF FLIGHT
Cancer sufferer ‘kicked’ from flight back home
A TOOWOOMBA cancer patient who travelled to Perth to see his beloved team Chelsea play - possibly for the last time is calling for more awareness of those with cancer after he was removed from his flight home “for health and safety reasons”.
Kevin Eden, 64, was on a dream trip, watching Chelsea FC play Perth Glory on July 23.
The Toowoomba cabbie, who has metastatic prostate cancer, reckoned it was probably one of the last chances he’d get to see his favourite football team in action.
Despite his illness, and suffering incontinence as a result of his cancer treatment, Mr Eden made the trip.
But the dream turned into a nightmare after he was removed from his Jetstar flight home late on July 23, because of his incontinence.
“I got to the boarding of the plane and they put me in and sat me down, and then a stewardess came up and said - are you okay? What’s going on?” Mr Eden recounted.
After explaining to the Jetstar staff member he had had an accident because of his prostate cancer, the staff member returned with another Jetstar employee.
“He said due to health and safety reasons, he had to take me off the plane, and that he’d talk to me more out there,” Mr Eden said.
When Mr Eden explained that he wasn’t in Perth for a long period of time and didn’t have a change of clothing, the man said he would get him on the next plane - three days later.
“I was confused, upset, and totally embarrassed when I was talking to them. It was like I was still in shock,” Mr Eden said.
The time away from home was a double blow for Mr Eden - it cost him money, both in accommodation and lost earnings.
His wife also relied on him as a carer, he said.
He said he wanted an apology for the way he was treated, and reimbursement.
After being contacted by The Chronicle, a Jetstar spokesman said in a statement the company was “very sorry to hear of Mr Eden’s experience and have contacted him directly”.
“Our crew on board and customers were concerned about Mr Eden’s welfare and comfort ahead of travelling on a sixhour flight and so we offered to rebook him on the next available service after confirming he had accommodation.
“We appreciate this was a difficult situation and apologise that Mr Eden felt our teams did not support him as best they could.”
Mr Eden eventually returned to Toowoomba on July 26.