I represented BA in the Cuban stowaways case referred to by Newswatcher.
Expert medical opinion given at the Inquest was that the stowaways died long before they were frozen because of the rate of change of atmospheric pressure in the climb. (The aircraft was a 777). The pathologist estimated that they were probably dead before 10,000'.
Although people survive at high altitude without oxygen, for example when climbing high mountains, that is because the body gradually adjusts to the gradual change.
The pathologist told the Court that there was no medical explanation for the survival of the Indian stowaway; it was a fluke which could not be explained. Although he survived, he suffered severe brain damage.
There was no mention of the effects of heat. Seems very unlikely.
I've not seen or heard about the CAA report mentioned.
Any pointers to where it can be found?
Tudor Owen
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 15th April 2002 at 17:17.