Stewardess sues BA over ‘career-wrecking’ fire

An air stewardess left “mentally scarred” by a mid-air engine fire and forced landing is suing British Airways for £750,000 after fear of flying forced her to quit “the most wonderful job”.

Lucy Sargeant, 29, of Uxbridge, west London, is taking the action against BA over the trauma of the May 2013 flight from Heathrow to Oslo, which led to mass panic and the evacuation of 75 passengers. Nicholas Yell told Central London County Court his client “genuinely thought she was going to die” and her ordeal wrecked her “dream career” following psychiatric injuries including a “fear of flying”. BA admits liability but contests the damages sum. The hearing continues.