A wheelchair motocross star has criticized Qantas, claiming the airline seriously damaged his chair on a return flight from the United States.
Timothy Lachlan traveled with the airline from Dallas, Texas to Sydney in February, but says his wheelchair was so badly damaged while on board that it is now unusable.
He said the wheels are now uneven and the slightest tilt causes the wheelchair to fall backwards.
Lachlan has been using his custom-made chair for more than a decade, but has since had to borrow one from a friend after the flight, claiming the wheels and padding were left bent and broken.
Timothy Lachlan traveled with the airline from Dallas, Texas to Sydney in February, but claims his wheelchair was so badly damaged while on board that it is now unusable.
“This wheelchair is basically my legs, Qantas has basically broken my legs,” he told Seven News.
The airline offered Mr Lachlan $3,500 in compensation, an increase of $1,000 from its initial offer, but said it would be “subject to receipt of a signed confidential agreement”.
“This doesn’t even cover one set of wheels,” Mr Lachlan said.
Mr Lachlan, who is neurodivergent and lives with spina bifida and Ehlers Danlos syndrome (a condition that affects the skin, joints and blood vessel walls), also works as an occupational therapist.
He said the damage to his wheelchair left him unable to work.
Lachlan said the wheels are now uneven and the slightest tilt causes the wheelchair to fall backwards.
“I invite the chief executive of Qantas to sit in this chair and tell me there is no need to replace it,” Mr Lachlan said.
A Qantas spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologize to Mr Lachlan for the damage caused to his wheelchair.
“We have offered compensation and are waiting to hear back.”
Lachlan gained notoriety in the world of wheelchair motocross after becoming the first Australian to perform a wheelchair backflip.
He was also selected to represent adaptive skating on the world stage alongside skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk.
