Durgapur turbulence accident: SpiceJet flyer dies after being treated for nearly 5 months

NEW DELHI: A passenger who sustained injuries during severe turbulence on-board a MumbaiDurgapur SpiceJet flight on May 1 succumbed to spinal injury last month, according to the death certificate issued by a hospital in West Bengal and officials familiar with the matter.

Akbar Ansari, a resident of Jharkhand’s Giridih, was among 17 people – 14 passengers and three members of the cabin crew – injured after flight SG 945, which took off from Mumbai at 5.13pm on May 1, encountered severe turbulence during its descent at Durgapur airport at around 7.15pm. The flight carried 195 people.

After nearly five months of treatment at The Mission Hospital in Durgapur, Ansari died of “sepsis in shock” caused by “polytrauma with spinal injury” on September 26, his death certificate said. The certificate, seen by HT, also said he “sustained polytrauma” in the flight.

The passenger was admitted to the hospital on May 2.

“A passenger who was injured during the severe turbulence encountered by SpiceJet flight on May 1, 2022 sadly passed away last month. The Company extended all possible assistance, including taking care of the passenger’s medical and hospital expenses. Compensation is being paid as per norms,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.