A woman died after experiencing difficulty breathing while waiting to board a flight to Johannesburg from King Shaka International Airport in Durban. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
- A woman died at King Shaka International Airport on Friday.
- She was waiting to board a flight to Johannesburg when she had difficulty breathing.
- The cause of her death has yet to be established.
A passenger died at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Friday, ahead of her flight to Johannesburg.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said an emergency medical response was requested at 20:35, after a traveller was observed to be struggling to breathe at gate A12.
READ | Two men charged for allegedly triggering bomb threat on plane at Cape Town airport
The woman in difficulty was preparing to board FlySafair flight FA279, scheduled to depart to Johannesburg at 20:45.
“Shortly before medics arrived, a passenger services agent was dispatched and arrived on the scene at 20:40 to discover the patient to be unresponsive,” said ACSA.
Paramedics provided advanced life support to the patient, but she was declared dead at the scene.
ACSA said the cause of death was still unknown.
READ | 73-year-old UK man killed during severe turbulence on London-Singapore flight
The company added: “We can confirm that the matter has been handed over to the police. ACSA would like to extend its deepest condolences to the traveller’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
In December, a man died at the Cape Town International Airport while preparing to board a flight, according to an SABC report.
The 61-year-old man was reportedly travelling to Durban when he collapsed on the floor of the check-in area at the domestic departures’ terminal.