‘I don’t want to die on a Delta flight’: Passenger claims she had to inject TWO EpiPens after allergic reaction to nuts on flight from Florida to Oregon – but pilot refused to ‘to land
- Sara Metzger said she would never use the airline again after the crew handed out almonds to passengers near her, despite being aware of her allergy.
- Metzger says she had to administer two EpiPens injections on board the flight after her condition worsened
- Although she pleaded with staff to land the plane, she claims the pilot refused
A Delta passenger claims she had to inject herself with two EpiPens after crew members handed out nuts when she was aware of her life-threatening allergy.
Sara Metzger has since vowed never to fly with Delta Air Lines again – saying ‘I don’t want to die on a Delta flight’ – after the airline failed to accommodate her disability and failed to did not respond when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction on board.
Metzger had traveled from Sarasota, Florida back to Portland, Oregon in April after visiting family.
Talk to Business InternMetzger said she told cabin crew about her nut allergy when she changed flights in Atlanta, Georgia.
Despite this, she claims passengers on board the flight were told that snacks including almonds would be handed out.
Pictured: Sara Metzger who, despite telling staff about her nut allergy, suffered anaphylaxis on board
Metzger has now vowed never to use the airline again after it failed to help him
Metzger said she reminded the staff of her allergy and was asked if she wanted a buffer zone around her so the crew wouldn’t serve the nuts – and chose the latter option.
But shortly after the on-flight snacks were handed out, Metzger said her throat began to swell and she began to itch, two common signs of anaphylaxis.
Metzger then noticed that other passengers on the flight in his vicinity had been given almonds.
Rushing to the bathroom, Metzger administered an EpiPen and urged the crew members to make an emergency landing.
She said another passenger, who was a cardiologist, examined her and advised her to wait and see if her symptoms improved.
Metzger then gave a second injection after her symptoms persisted, she said. Business Intern: ‘At this point, none of the staff are really talking to me. They all speak through this doctor.
“I’m just sitting there having the residual effects of this anaphylactic reaction, hoping it doesn’t come back and I don’t die on that plane.
“It was just a really terrifying situation.”
Pictured: A Delta Air Lines plane at John F. Kennedy International
Metzger had to administer two EpiPens on board the plane after his condition worsened
Although he pleaded for an emergency landing, the pilot refused to do so and landed as planned in Portland.
Metzger said a medical team had to wait for other passengers to disembark the plane to join them.
In a complaint seen by Business Insider, the Department of Transportation said, “Despite Ms. Metzger’s medical peril and direction from ground medical services, the pilot followed the preferences of the cardiologist/passenger rather than Ms. Metzger.
“The pilot refused to land.”
A Delta spokesperson told DailyMail.com: “While unfortunately we cannot respond to this specific event, passenger safety is Delta’s top priority and our crew are trained and prepared to respond to onboard events. when they happen.”
