A medical emergency on American Airlines Flight 614 from Honduras to New York resulted in tragedy on June 4, 2022 when 14-year-old Kevin Greenidge died. The boy’s mother, Melissa Arzu, has since lodged a lawsuit against the airline, accusing them of negligence and subpar flight crew training.

The legal proceedings began in New York in 2023, but upon American Airlines’ request, the case was transferred to Texas and renewed on Monday, May 13, 2024. The lawsuit states that Kevin fell unconscious mid-flight. His family’s calls for help were allegedly met with a delayed response from the flight crew, who reportedly struggled to operate the onboard automated external defibrillator (AED). The complaint includes eyewitness statements suggesting that despite the AED’s shock advisories, no shocks were delivered, and the machine repeatedly recommended CPR.

Kevin was rushed to a local hospital after the flight made an emergency landing in Cancun, Mexico, where he was declared dead. Arzu contends that her son’s death was a result of the flight crew’s delayed response and their inability to use the AED.

Arzu expressed her anguish in a statement saying, “It left me feeling hopeless. I demand answers from American Airlines. They need to take full responsibility for Kevin’s death. I don’t want any other child or family to go through this.”

The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines failed to adequately train its staff for in-flight medical emergencies and that the plane’s emergency medical kit was insufficient and not clearly marked. The lawsuit also alleges that the airline prevented the family’s legal counsel from inspecting the AED machine, which seems to have been either destroyed or lost.

According to the family’s complaint, if the airplane had been properly equipped with functioning medical devices and the crew well-trained, Kevin’s chances of survival would have been significantly better. The family seeks justice and wishes to prevent such an incident from happening to another family.

American Airlines expressed their condolences to Greenidge’s family in a statement and refrained from making further comments due to the ongoing litigation.

Attorney Hannah Crowe, representing the boy’s mother, underscored the seriousness of the case with the words, “The loss of a child is unimaginable, and the details of this case are appalling.”

Kevin Greenidge was returning from a summer vacation in Honduras when the incident occurred. His death has led to a significant legal dispute, emphasizing the necessity for flight crews to be prepared for medical emergencies.

The aviation industry is under increased scrutiny regarding the adequacy of medical equipment and the training of flight personnel. Since 2004, regulations have required airlines to have AEDs onboard, and these devices must be properly maintained and labeled.

This lawsuit underscores the crucial need for thorough training and equipment checks to manage in-flight medical emergencies. The result could influence changes in airline policies and training programs to improve passenger safety.