Deaf-blind man thrown off easyJet flight over 'safety concerns'

A deaf-blind man was hauled off an easyJet flight travelling from Edinburgh to London Gatwick after crew raised safety concerns over him flying.

Frankie Thomson, who has been deaf since birth and is severely partially sighted, was escorted off the plane after he was told that he could not fly with the airline without a companion because of "safety concerns."

Thomson, who was chosen to carry the Queen's baton at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, told the Edinburgh Evening News that he was shocked by the decision as he has flown independently for 35 years.

"They said the pilot refused to fly me because I was alone. I could feel people watching me wondering what I'd done. I felt people were talking about me," Thomson told the paper with the help of a guide communicator.

"I told myself not to get too upset. Not to get too angry because I knew if I did, they'd just phone the police," he said.

SNP MP Tommy Sheppard for Edinburgh East condemned easyJet's decision. "I was extremely shocked when Frankie came to me and I heard the details of this case," he said. "It goes against all current thinking in terms of trying to improve accessibility for people with disabilities."

An easyJet spokeswoman apologised for the distress caused: "EasyJet is sorry that Mr Thomson was unable to travel on his flight and understand how upsetting this would have been for him."

"The captain took the decision to offload him prior to departure due to concerns over his welfare after he was unable to communicate with the crew about the safety procedures. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority," she added.

The airline offered him and a companion free flights for the following day. He will also receive a full refund for the flight he missed.