'Inhumane and unfair': Aussie wheelchair champ 'left on plane'
Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott has lashed out on social media after being ‘left on a plane’ after a flight.
Alcott posted a photo to Twitter on Friday afternoon, showing him looking glum as he sat on an empty plane after a Qantas flight.
“Left on ANOTHER PLANE without my wheelchair being brought to the gate,” he wrote.
“No idea where it is. Waiting for TOO LONG!
“Australian airlines need to sort their s*** out.
“It is inhumane and unfair taking peoples independence away and not caring about it.”
He was inundated with messages of support from his followers.
That's just outright unacceptable
— MaryGearin (@MaryGearin) August 17, 2018
😭😭 That is so rubbish! But on the plus side, this is a 10/10 selfie 👌
— Kathryn Lee (@KateHetho92) August 17, 2018
They should have a space on planes so you can just stay in your wheelchair, like sports stadiums do. Airline staff wouldn’t have to assist you so much then either as you could just wheel yourself on and off the plane.
— Jo (@JTB_30) August 17, 2018
That is disgraceful Dylan I hope you have your say about this to the airline involved.
— Go Blues (@Rhonda057) August 17, 2018
Surely every plane should have wheel chair storage for at least 1 wheelchair .
— Alex Smith (@smithysman) August 17, 2018
Qantas has since apologised for the delay.
Hi Dylan, we’re really sorry for the delay in getting your wheelchair, we’ll DM you to follow up. – KJ
— Qantas (@Qantas) August 17, 2018
Alcott has become an Aussie fan favourite in recent years.
After having a tumour removed from his spinal cord in the first few weeks of his life, he was left a paraplegic.
But his disability has been the furthest thing from a burden to the young superstar.
He set up the Dylan Alcott Foundation to help young kids with disabilities, and has thrived in the sporting arena.
After winning a gold medal in wheelchair basketball at the 2008 Paralympics, he switched his focus to tennis, winning two more gold medals at Rio 2016.
He has also won five grand slam singles titles and a doubles major, five of which have come at the Australian Open.