An 80-year-old man has been arrested for questioning after security guards at Tenerife South Airport discovered he was trying to board a plane with his dead wife
An elderly man was stopped after security noticed something wasn’t quite right with his wife(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
An 80-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to board a flight with his dead wife, in scenes that left airport staff reeling.
The elderly gentleman was halted by security at Tenerife South Airport when they grew suspicious of his wife’s condition. Shockingly, the man claimed to the police that his wife had died at the airport, just hours before their scheduled departure.
Staff noticed that the woman, seated in a wheelchair, was unresponsive and her body temperature was alarmingly low. The incident unfolded at the metal detector checkpoint within the airport’s security area. It wasn’t until a security guard observed the woman’s lack of reaction when he shook her hand that suspicions were raised, leading to the man’s arrest for further questioning.
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Spanish newspaper Diario de Avisos reported the incident, although no specifics regarding the date, the airline involved, or the couple’s nationalities have been disclosed. However, Tenerife Airport has confirmed that the incident took place several months ago.
“The man was pushing the wheelchair in which his wife was,” the publication reports. “At first glance, they looked like an elderly couple about to embark. However, after passing through the portico, the guard realised that something was not right”, reports the Daily Star.
An employee at Tenerife South airport said: “The guard approached the woman and the man gave her the wheelchair. When he took her hand, she noticed that she had an abnormally low temperature and was not breathing.
“The worker immediately notified the supervisor. In a few minutes the emergency protocol was activated and numerous security agents, members of the Civil Guard and forensic personnel went to the scene.”
According to the husband’s initial statements, he alleges his wife died a few hours earlier inside the airport. However, some staff reportedly claim that the man attempted to place blame for the death on the airport facilities. This allegation is now reportedly under investigation by the authorities and airport officials.
It has been confirmed that the man was arrested and is currently cooperating with authorities. An inquiry has been initiated into the death and it remains unclear whether any action will be taken against the man.
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