Investigation at Virgin Australia after passenger tipped off his wheelchair

Virgin Australia is conducting an investigation after a doctor with a spinal cord injury was tipped out of his wheelchair.

Virgin Australia is conducting an investigation following an incident where Dr Dinesh Palipana, a prominent disabled doctor, was tipped out of his wheelchair by ground staff at Brisbane Airport.

The incident occurred as Dr Palipana, who is a former Queensland Australian of the Year, was boarding a flight to Melbourne with his mother and two carers to give a disability talk.

Dr Palipana’s mother, Chithrani, fumed at the airline on social media, claiming the wheelchair assistance staff member disregarded them, asked them not to interfere, and even suggested they board the plane before Dr Palipana.

Dr Palipana was then dropped from his wheelchair while taking a sharp corner.

“We travel in numbers and (with) experienced staff for safety,” she said.

“The (Virgin) wheelchair assistance staff member today disregarded all of us, asked us not to interfere (and) even for the three of us to board the plane first (before Dr Palipana) which we didn’t do luckily.

“What did she do then, she dropped my son from the chair taking a sharp corner. Who gave her the right to know how to assist someone with a spinal cord injury?

“We travel so often and this is the first time ever we came across such a Virgin Australia staff member who didn’t want to listen to the care team.

“Please LISTEN and follow the lead of the care team as we are the experts in that area for that person. Do not cause bodily harm to someone in a wheelchair because you think you know it all.”

Dr Palipana said he is awaiting scans to determine if he suffered any injuries, stating that he flies frequently without incidents occurring.

Virgin Australia is conducting an investigation following an incident where Dr Dinesh Palipana, a prominent disabled doctor, was tipped out of his wheelchair by ground staff at Brisbane Airport.

He said that Virgin Australia has been “historically excellent” in accommodating passengers with disabilities and confirmed the airline had called him to apologise.

“It was very distressing for my family and the people around me, and the outcome could have been dire if there was a fracture or head injury” he told the Courier Mail.

“However, I do think it was an isolated incident where the ground staff member kind of took things into their own hands.

“Virgin historically has been excellent, and a lot of people with disabilities prefer to fly with them. They proactively called me to apologise and said they were investigating the matter.”

The incident occurred when Dr Palipana, a former Queensland Australian of the Year, was boarding a flight to Melbourne with his mother and two carers to give a disability talk.

Disability Royal Commission chair Ronald Sackville had previously raised concerns about incidents involving people with disabilities while travelling, such as being dropped on the floor, damaged wheelchairs not being repaired, and limited access to safe ramps.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with Virgin, including times where they’ve had me speak to their teams and leadership team,” Dr Palipana said.

“They have been receptive and made changes.”

News.com.au has contacted Virgin for comment.