12 August 2024 | 18:05

Kazakh teen with disability injured in Turkey airport

Photo provided by Ansar Nurzhanov's mom

Tengrinews.kz - A 17-year-old Kazakhstani, Ansar Nurzhanov, has sustained fractures and severe bruising after a mishap during boarding at Antalya Airport, Turkey.

Nurzhanov, who suffers from a rare condition and is wheelchair-bound, was in Turkey with his mother for rehabilitation. On August 8, they were scheduled to fly to Almaty to reset their visa days before returning for further physiotherapy. However, an unfortunate incident occurred just before boarding.

According to his mother, Assel Nurzhanova, they were supposed to fly with Air Astana. During check-in, they were assisted by an airport employee who left them at the information desk without knowing the gate number. When the gate was announced, no one came to help. Nurzhanova began searching for the elevator, and fellow passengers offered to help descend Ansar via escalator. Despite the availability of an elevator, the airport staff member attempted to carry Ansar down the stairs, resulting in the staff member losing balance and both tumbling down the concrete stairs.

"When we were at Gate 214, other parents with prams were coming down the escalator. When Ansar was dropped, I noticed the lift at the bottom of the stairs and shouted for it to be switched on. However, another staff member said the lift was not working," recalls the boy's mum.

Ansar was hospitalized with a broken leg, clavicle, and numerous bruises, including one to his eye. His mother believes the Antalya Airport should compensate for moral damages and provide necessary medical care, food, and accommodation until her son's recovery.

Representatives from the Turkish consulate, the airport, and Air Astana visited the clinic and promised assistance. Nurzhanova is seeking full compensation for the damages and highlights the impact on her son's health due to the incident.

Air Astana confirmed that the incident occurred before boarding the flight Antalya - Almaty. They stated that Asel Nurzhanova did not wait for an assistant and asked to take her son down the stairs.

"An airport representative was supposed to help Ansar, but Asel did not wait and asked passengers to take her son down the stairs. When the assistant came, she again asked to descend without a lift. As a result, they fell down and were taken to hospital by ambulance," the airline's press service said.

Antalya Airport staff and Air Astana representatives escorted the passengers to the hospital and paid the medical expenses related to Ansar's hospitalisation.

"Air Astana expresses its sincere sympathy to Ansar's family and wishes him a speedy recovery. The airline will provide assistance to the injured and fully contribute to the investigation," the press service emphasised.

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