Passenger Falls into Coma after Security Takes Insulin

The Australian airline Qantas apologized to a New Zealand passenger who fell into a diabetic coma after he was barred from bringing his insulin into the cabin.

Tui Peter Russell was hospitalized for two weeks after the attack, the New Zealand Herald said.

Russell, a chef, was boarding a flight in Auckland to Christchurch last month when security officers told him he could not bring the insulin on the plane. Flight attendants tried to help him when he became sick in the air.

"They asked where the insulin was, and they weren't very happy when they found out I wasn't allowed to bring it on board," he said.

Russell said the cabin staff did their best to help him. But he passed out soon after the plane landed.

Qantas said that its check-in services and security in New Zealand are handled by Air New Zealand.

The airline has offered Russell a free return flight, but he says he would also like help with his medical bills.

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