Serious Ambilift Accident
Hi,
I am a passenger who witnessed a serious accident last Saturday and wonder if anyone has heard of anything similar. The vehicle used a tailgate lift from tarmac up to about 8ft. In the Ambilift cabin the wheelchair attendent stepped backwards while holding the wheelchair. The Ambilift door had been left open and the taillift had been lowered by the ground based operator. The attendent fell out dragging the wheelchair and occupant with him fortunately falling only about a metre onto the descending tailift so no one killed. But no fun for a wheelchair passenger expecting Special Assistance onto the plane.
It seems there is no fail safe to prevent the tail lift being lowered with the Ambilift door open. Has anyone heard of this ever happening before?
I find it hard to believe this is a first time accident for a system so dependent on only operator co-ordination.
Many thanks,
A very shocked passenger.