A flight attendant, a mother of three, dropped dead in front of horrified passengers as they boarded her flight.
Gabriella Cario, 57, was already feeling unwell as she waited at the gate on Saturday afternoon.
However, she decided not to seek medical help because she wanted to return home to her husband and three children.
As he boarded the plane, his condition worsened and he died within minutes in front of shocked passengers and colleagues.
All passengers were disembarked as on-site paramedics rushed to the plane.
They tried to revive the 57-year-old man, but their efforts were in vain.
Gabriella Cario, 57 (pictured), was already feeling unwell as she waited at the gate on Saturday afternoon.
As he boarded the plane, his condition worsened and he died within minutes in front of shocked passengers and colleagues.
The tragedy occurred at Reggio Calabria airport, southeast of Naples, Italy (pictured)
The tragedy occurred at Reggio Calabria airport, southeast of Naples, Italy.
ITA Airways Flight 1156 to Rome Fiumicino was rescheduled until the night after Carlo’s death.
Other flights were also delayed.
Cario worked as a flight attendant for ITA Airways, but returned home to Sabaudia, near Latina, as a passenger.
She was originally from Naples but worked from Rome on national and international flights.
His funeral will be held in Sabaudia on September 17. The cause of his death remains a mystery and so far only a “sudden illness” has been reported.
Sabaudia Mayor Alberto Mosca said: “I knew Gabriella. She was a brilliant woman, always smiling and kind.
‘On behalf of the administration and the entire community, I extend our deepest condolences to her husband and her beloved three children.’