American Airlines accused of letting passenger die after horror health emergency
John William Cannon, 62, from Kentucky, became ill during a flight connection in Dallas and despite fainting was still allowed to continue his journey to Colorado where he died, alleges a lawsuit by his family
A major airline has been accused of allowing a passenger who was unfit to fly to continue onto a connecting flight despite showing signs of 'medical distress' before crew on the second flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance' after he suffered a medical emergency, later dying in hospital.
Legal action is being taken against American Airlines after John William Cannon, 62, from Kentucky, became ill on a journey to Colorado on April 28. He flew from Louisville to Dallas without appearing unwell but he is said to have suffered a 'syncopal event', or a fainting episode, on the jet bridge while disembarking, in the lawsuit by his family. It is alleged that Mr Cannon was helped back to his feet and after just two minutes he was allowed to make the connecting flight.
His family allege that airline personnel helped him to his gate while he was showing 'concerning signs of medical distress'. While on the second leg of the journey to Durango in Colorado, Mr Cannon'entered a stage of medical crisis' and became 'unresponsive' it is claimed.
He is said to have been "in and out of consciousness" and was displaying "laboured breathing". But 'despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis,' the crew on the flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned,' according to the lawsuit.
Now, his family are saying the crew failed to act quickly enough. Mr Cannon's family alleges that his subsequent heart attack and death in the early hours of April 29 'was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault' of American Airlines and its crew, reported the Sacramento Bee.
Mr Cannon's son Kyle is bringing the lawsuit against American Airlines and a regional carrier with the allegation that they did not do enough to help him or get assistance quickly enough. In the lawsuit it tells how Mr Cannon had caught American Airlines Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth at around 12.30pm on April 28, and then collapsed after landing.
'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight'' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.'
He then flew on his connecting flight from Dallas to Durango, but is said to have fallen unconscious "during the flight, and/or at the time of deboarding". The complaint states flight crew called emergency services to report Mr Cannon's deteriorating condition, but alleges that they only did so after the deplaning process was complete.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to give Mr Cannon "oxygen treatment" before he was removed from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance, but during the journey suffered a "sinus bradycardia" - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected, which progressed to full cardiac arrest.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Cannon did not resume sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1.29am. Mr Cannon was due to be picked up from the airport by his best firend, with his family's lawyers telling the Mail: "They were going to his partner's celebration of life. She passed away previously."
The lawsuit was initially filed in Denver County District Court, but moved to Denver federal court on Tuesday. It accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical air, failure to deny boarding in Dalla, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence.
It also claims crew did not pay appropriate attention to Mr Cannon's condition, failed to prioritise his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him into the care of a doctor in a timely manner. The family are seeking $75,000 (£52,200) in damages, along with other related court costs and attorney fees. American Airlines have reportedly said in a statement: "We are reviewing the complaint."
Joe LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, both of Ramos Law, are representing Mr Cannon's son who is seeking compensation. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritises inaction over intervention,' LoRusso and McBryant, said in a statement provided to McClatchy News.
'This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change." The Mirror has contacted American Airlines for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Shocking way American Airlines staff 'left our dad to die' after he fell ill on long-haul flight
A Kentucky family has accused American Airlines of ignoring their dad's medical distress and allowing him to catch his connection flight, which they claimed led to his death. John William Cannon, 62, died two years ago this month after suffering a 'syncopal,' or fainting, event while traveling on the airline Kentucky to Colorado for his female partner's celebration of life ceremony in April 2023. While deplaning in Texas, Cannon suffered the fainting event and was helped to the floor of the jet bridge, but was later released to catch his connection flight despite 'exhibiting concerning signs of medical distress,' the complaint, viewed by read. The father was experiencing labored breathing and losing consciousness - symptoms the family said should have clued American Airline's employees to help Cannon further. His son, Kyle, and the family's attorneys argue his death was the 'direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault of' the airline. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention,' lawyers Joseph LoRusso and Jessica McBryant told 'This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change.' Kyle is seeking damages for his father having to go through 'conscious pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of time and income, medical expenses, and other damages prior to his death,' People reported. The Cannon family is seeking $75,000 in damages, plus attorney fees. American Airlines said in a statement to 'We are reviewing the complaint.' Cannon died of a heart attack while paramedics were taking him to a hospital in rural Durango, Colorado. Cannon boarded American Airlines (AAL) Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth on April 28 at around 12:30pm. He collapsed while deplaning in Dallas and was 'helped to the floor of the jet bridge', the complaint states. 'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight,' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr. Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.' He flew from Dallas to Durango onboard Flight 4896, but allegedly fell unconscious 'during the flight, and/or at the time of de-boarding.' The complaint, which does not note the exact time the flight landed, states that crew called emergency services at 4:04pm to report Cannon's deteriorating condition, allegedly after the deplaning process was complete. Firefighters rushed to the scene and gave Cannon an 'oxygen treatment' before removing him from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to Durango's Mercy Medical Center in an ambulance, but suffered a 'sinus bradycardia' - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected - during transport, which progressed to cardiac arrest. 'The ambulance crew performed approximately 10 minutes of chest compression, administered two doses of epinephrine, and delivered multiple Automated External Defibrillator (AED) shocks,' the complaint states. But despite paramedics' best efforts, he did not resume a sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1:29am. The lawsuit - initially filed in Denver County District Court, but removed to Denver federal court Tuesday - accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical aid, failure to deny boarding in Dallas, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence. It alleges that crew did not pay appropriate attention to Cannon's condition, failed to prioritize his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him to the care of a physician in a timely manner.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
American Airlines accused of letting passenger die after horror health emergency
John William Cannon, 62, from Kentucky, became ill during a flight connection in Dallas and despite fainting was still allowed to continue his journey to Colorado where he died, alleges a lawsuit by his family A major airline has been accused of allowing a passenger who was unfit to fly to continue onto a connecting flight despite showing signs of 'medical distress' before crew on the second flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance' after he suffered a medical emergency, later dying in hospital. Legal action is being taken against American Airlines after John William Cannon, 62, from Kentucky, became ill on a journey to Colorado on April 28. He flew from Louisville to Dallas without appearing unwell but he is said to have suffered a 'syncopal event', or a fainting episode, on the jet bridge while disembarking, in the lawsuit by his family. It is alleged that Mr Cannon was helped back to his feet and after just two minutes he was allowed to make the connecting flight. His family allege that airline personnel helped him to his gate while he was showing 'concerning signs of medical distress'. While on the second leg of the journey to Durango in Colorado, Mr Cannon'entered a stage of medical crisis' and became 'unresponsive' it is claimed. He is said to have been "in and out of consciousness" and was displaying "laboured breathing". But 'despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis,' the crew on the flight 'delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned,' according to the lawsuit. Now, his family are saying the crew failed to act quickly enough. Mr Cannon's family alleges that his subsequent heart attack and death in the early hours of April 29 'was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault' of American Airlines and its crew, reported the Sacramento Bee. Mr Cannon's son Kyle is bringing the lawsuit against American Airlines and a regional carrier with the allegation that they did not do enough to help him or get assistance quickly enough. In the lawsuit it tells how Mr Cannon had caught American Airlines Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth at around 12.30pm on April 28, and then collapsed after landing. 'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight'' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.' He then flew on his connecting flight from Dallas to Durango, but is said to have fallen unconscious "during the flight, and/or at the time of deboarding". The complaint states flight crew called emergency services to report Mr Cannon's deteriorating condition, but alleges that they only did so after the deplaning process was complete. Emergency services rushed to the scene to give Mr Cannon "oxygen treatment" before he was removed from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance, but during the journey suffered a "sinus bradycardia" - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected, which progressed to full cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Cannon did not resume sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1.29am. Mr Cannon was due to be picked up from the airport by his best firend, with his family's lawyers telling the Mail: "They were going to his partner's celebration of life. She passed away previously." The lawsuit was initially filed in Denver County District Court, but moved to Denver federal court on Tuesday. It accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical air, failure to deny boarding in Dalla, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence. It also claims crew did not pay appropriate attention to Mr Cannon's condition, failed to prioritise his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him into the care of a doctor in a timely manner. The family are seeking $75,000 (£52,200) in damages, along with other related court costs and attorney fees. American Airlines have reportedly said in a statement: "We are reviewing the complaint." Joe LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, both of Ramos Law, are representing Mr Cannon's son who is seeking compensation. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritises inaction over intervention,' LoRusso and McBryant, said in a statement provided to McClatchy News. 'This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change." The Mirror has contacted American Airlines for comment.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Airline is accused of letting passenger die as cabin crew 'delayed requesting medical assistance'
American Airlines has been accused of letting a passenger die after cabin crew 'delayed requesting medical assistance' for the traveler until after the deplaning process was completed, according to a wrongful death complaint. John William Cannon, 62, died on April 29, 2023 after suffering a heart attack while paramedics were taking him to a hospital in rural Durango, Colorado. Cannon, of Kentucky, had flown from Louisville to the mountain city on April 28, with a layover in Dallas, the lawsuit filed by his family last month states. He boarded his flight to Texas without showing any outward signs of distress, but suffered a 'syncopal event', or fainting episode, on the jet bridge while deplaning, according to the complaint reviewed by MailOnline. Crew helped Cannon back on his feet and just two minutes later released him to make his connecting flight, the complaint alleges. It also states airline personnel helped him to the gate despite Cannon allegedly exhibiting 'concerning signs of medical distress'. During the second leg of his journey, Cannon 'entered a stage of medical crisis' and became 'unresponsive', the suit says. Flight crew called emergency services to report that he was 'in and out of consciousness' and displaying 'labored breathing', but the family alleges crew failed to act quickly enough. Cabin crew 'delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned', the complaint says. The family further alleged that Cannon's subsequent heart attack and death in the early hours of April 29 'was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault' of American Airlines and its crew. Cannon boarded American Airlines (AAL) Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth on April 28 at around 12.30pm. He collapsed while deplaning in Dallas and was 'helped to the floor of the jet bridge', the complaint states. 'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight,' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr. Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.' He flew from Dallas to Durango onboard Flight 4896, but allegedly fell unconscious 'during the flight, and/or at the time of deboarding'. The complaint, which does not note the exact time the flight landed, states that crew called emergency services at 4.04pm to report Cannon's deteriorating condition, allegedly after the deplaning process was complete. Firefighters rushed to the scene and gave Cannon an 'oxygen treatment' before removing him from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to Durango's Mercy Medical Center in an ambulance, but suffered a 'sinus bradycardia' - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected - during transport, which progressed to cardiac arrest. 'The ambulance crew performed approximately 10 minutes of chest compression, administered two doses of epinephrine, and delivered multiple Automated External Defibrillator (AED) shocks,' the complaint states. But despite paramedics' best efforts, his did not resume a sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1.29am. Cannon was meant to be picked up from the airport by his best friend. His family's attorneys told MailOnline: 'They were going to his partner's celebration of life. She passed away previously.' The lawsuit - initially filed in Denver County District Court, but removed to Denver federal court Tuesday - accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical aid, failure to deny boarding in Dallas, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence. It alleges that crew did not pay appropriate attention to Cannon's condition, failed to prioritize his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him to the care of a physician in a timely manner. The Cannon family is seeking $75,000 in damages, as well as other related court costs and attorney fees. Joseph LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, who represent the Cannon family, told MailOnline that Cannon's case demonstrates systemic problems in corporate culture. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention,' they said. This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change.'
