A frightening event occurred last week when Carine Desir, 44, died on an American Airlines flight from Haiti to New York. The alarming aspect of her death is that her family is claiming that the airline refused to give the woman oxygen that could have helped to save her life. Even more shocking are the claims that the oxygen tanks aboard the plane were empty.

An attempt to revive her using a defibrillator was also unsuccessful when the equipment was deemed damaged. When travelers board planes, they are putting their lives into the hands of these airlines. Shouldn’t everyone be given some piece of mind that they will be protected and safe if danger arises while they are in the air?

American Airlines is protesting the claims of Antonio Oliver, Carine’s cousin, and Joel Desir, her brother, who were both on board the flight with her. Desir had requested oxygen after she began having trouble breathing, but was denied help twice by flight attendants.

Several concerned passengers also spoke with flight attendants in hopes of convincing them that Desir truly needed help.

One flight attendant eventually went to the cockpit to ask for advice, but when they went to administer the oxygen, they found the tank to be empty. Oliver claims that another tank was brought to Desir, but this one was also empty.

At that point, Desir was obviously in peril, saying to her brother and cousin, “Please don’t let me die.” There were two doctors and two nurses on board the flight who immediately began revival attempts on Desir. After trying CPR, the medical professionals tried using the defibrillator, but found the machine to be non-functioning. Oliver pleaded with the crew to let them land in Miami, so Desir could be taken immediately to a hospital.

However, soon after, Desir collapsed and was pronounced dead. Instead of making the stop in Miami, the crew carried Desir to the first-class cabin, covered her with a blanket, and continued their flight to New York.

It is despicable that the airlines did not treat this woman with more respect. She was clearly in trouble, and even after alerting the flight staff to a history of diabetes and heart disease, she was not given any decency or consideration when she reported having difficulty breathing.

Desir’s family are fighting with American Airlines so that their story is heard. However, the airline is denying any wrongdoing and is insisting that their staff acted ‘admirably’ under the circumstances.

American Airlines spokesman Charley Wilson said that every plane is equipped with 12 oxygen tanks and that the crew is required to check and did check them before departure. But at this time, Wilson did not know whether a flight attendant had denied usage of the oxygen to Desir.

Hopefully this tragic event will result in stricter airline regulations so that another life is not in danger because of the lack of training of the crew or due to damaged equipment. Airlines should be held responsible for the health and well being of its passengers.