Disabled woman paralysed after falling from wheelchair on plane walkway dies

01 February 2023 , 01:29

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Gaby Assouline has died 11 months after being left paralysed (Image: GoFundMe)

A disabled woman, who fell down a plane walkway and was left paralysed after claiming airline staff refused to help her, has died.

Gaby Assouline, 25, from Florida, who suffered from a genetic muscle disease, said staff at Southwest Airlines would not push her down a bridge in her wheelchair while travelling to Denver from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport, court papers said at the time.

She then suffered catastrophic injuries which left her paralysed from the neck down after landing on her head having been “thrown” from the wheelchair.

Gaby’s family has now said that she has died 11 months later after putting up the “greatest fight”.

Her mum Sandra Assouline wrote on a GoFundMe page: "It's with a heavy heart and profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our precious daughter and sister GABRIELLE on Sunday, January 22 at 12:40pm.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Her mother Sandra Assouline revealed the news that Gaby had died (Sandra Assouline/Facebook)

"Gaby was not alone at the end. We were all blessed to be with her bedside, crying, praying and sharing Gaby stories. Gaby's life was tragically interrupted 11 months ago but she put up the greatest fight with grace, friends, laughter and the strong belief that she would leave the hospital and come home very soon. Unfortunately, complications robbed Gaby of that ending.

"Heaven just received the most beautiful, sweetest, innocent and precious soul! Our angel. Our daughter. Our sister. Our Gaby."

Her mother had previously told on the fundraising page that her daughter cracked her vertebrae during the accident on the plane walkway and needed to use a feeding tube.

Gaby fell down a plane walkway causing horrific injuries (GoFundMe)

She was left paralysed from the neck down (GoFundMe)

Gaby already suffered with Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare and incurable genetic condition that gradually replaces connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and muscles by turning them into extra skeletal bone.

During the accident Gaby asked for someone to push her wheelchair down the corridor but was not given any help, according to a Broward County lawsuit.

But Southwest reportedly contended the claims by alleging that Gaby refused help rather than asking for it, which led to the anger of the Assouline family.

The airline released a statement following the tragic death.

It reportedly said: “Southwest offers its sincere condolences to Ms. Assouline’s family, friends and all whose lives she touched. We have a more than 51-year commitment to caring for our People and Customers and remain engaged with the parties involved.”

Tim Hanlon