…he had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight…emirates spokesman
Emirates airline has vehemently denied manhandling a 71 year grandfather aboard its flight from Dubai to Chicago on the 23 January, 2018.
The 71 year old Nigerian immigrant Mr. David Ukesone, who claimed the flight crew on an Emirates flight to Chicago O’Hare International Airport bound, punched, and taped his mouth shut for several hours after a dispute over whether or not he was sitting in the wrong seat.
According Emirates spokesperson in a statement: “Emirates can confirm that Mr Ukesone was a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January, and that he had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight. Despite the best efforts of our crew to intervene and reason with him, Mr Ukesone repeatedly disturbed other passengers, refused to remain in his assigned seat, and forced his way into another cabin class. He also assaulted crew and bit another passenger. As a consequence he was restrained by our crew. Our cabin crew are highly trained to ensure the safety and security of our passengers, and constantly monitored Mr. Ukesone’s welfare throughout the flight. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised”.
The statement added, “Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger was handed over to the authorities in Chicago. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”.
According to ABC News, the dispute started after Ukesone got up from his seat, 35D, to use the restroom and accidentally returned to the wrong seat nearby.
Ukesone said he experienced confusion, and believed that he was in the correct seat, adding that he speaks and understands English,”but has some difficulty understanding it when it’s spoken by someone who isn’t Nigerian,” ABC News reports.
“He was asked to move and he wants to take his bag in the overhead compartment with him,” said his attorney Howard Schaffner. “They told him he was in the wrong seat and they laid hands on him to move him and that’s when everything escalated,” he continued.
Ukesone reported that a crew member struck him, leaving a welt on his face. He also had injuries and bruises on his ankles and wrists. Following the hostile encounter, the crew left Ukesone to ride out the remainder of the flight without any food or water.
Ukesone was flying to Chicago from Nigeria, after receiving a visa, to reunite with his wife—who had immigrated to the US four months prior—and with two children.
His family awaited his arrival for several hours in the terminal, but upon his landing, Ukesone was put on a stretcher and sent to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he stayed for several days undergoing treatment for the injuries he sustained.
source: ABC News
