Woman slams airline for 'really terrifying situation' after she suffered severe allergic reaction to nuts
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Sara Metzger/ZapperSiR/Alamy Stock Photo
A woman has slammed an airline for a 'really terrifying situation' after she suffered a severe allergic reaction to nuts.
The jet-setter has hit-out at Delta Airlines and has since vowed to never fly with them again following the 'terrifying' ordeal.
The woman, Sara Metzger, was flying from Sarasota in Florida back home to Portland Oregon when she changed planes in Atlanta, which is when it all went south.
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Sara unfortunately suffered an extreme reaction to nuts that were served on-board the flight after she had informed the cabin crew of her serious allergy.
The passenger went on to claim the pilots out-right refused to make an emergency landing, Business Insider reports.
She told the outlet the crew handed out an array of snacks to fellow passengers - one of which was a packet of almonds.
Sara reminded the crew of her nut allergy and was reportedly asked if she would like a 'buffer zone' placed around her or if she would prefer having the staff stop serving the nuts altogether.
After asking the crew to stop serving the nuts, Sara was shocked to see that a few passengers aboard the plane were already tucking into the almonds.
She recalled to the news outlet how her throat began to itch and swell at this point - two very common symptoms of anaphylaxis.
According to WebMD: "Anaphylaxis happens when you have an antibody, something that usually fights infection, that overreacts to something harmless like food."
The official website continues: "Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that needs to be treated right away.
"If you have an anaphylactic reaction, you need an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot as soon as possible, and someone should call 911 for emergency medical help. Left untreated, it can be deadly."
Sara then flocked to the restrooms to use an EpiPen to treat the allergic reaction before asking the crew to tell the captain to begin an emergency landing.
Another passenger, who said he was a cardiologist, then monitored the woman.
She told the outlet: "At this point, none of the staff is really talking to me. They’re all talking through this doctor.
"I’m just sitting there having the residual effects of this anaphylactic reaction, hoping that it doesn’t come back again and that I don’t die on this airplane. It was just a really terrifying situation to be in."
According to the publication, Sara has since filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, after arguing the airline did not properly accommodate for her disability.
The complaint outlines: "Despite Ms. Metzger’s medical peril and the directive of medical services on the ground, the pilot followed the preferences of the cardiologist/passenger rather than the obvious medical needs of Ms. Metzger or the directive from medical services on the ground."
It added: "The pilot refused to land."
Sara is now wanting Delta Airlines to be financially reprimanded for the ordeal, telling Insider: "It is totally up to the whim of the airline staff whether or not they’re going to put my life at risk and take my disability for what it is.
"I don’t want to die on a Delta flight. So that’s not a risk that I’m going to take again."
A Delta spokesperson has since told Insider: "While we unfortunately cannot respond to this specific event, passenger safety is Delta’s top priority and our crew are trained and prepared to respond to onboard events as they occur."
The airline's website states: "We’re committed to helping you travel comfortably. While we are unable to guarantee a peanut-free or allergen-free flight, we will try to make reasonable accommodations for any traveler’s needs."
UNILAD has reached out to Delta Airlines for comment.