According to today’s inquest testimony, the crippled traveler who died after falling on an escalator at Gatwick Airport shattered his spine before passing away.
Father-of-three After returning from a vacation in Italy at 12:50 p.m. on June 15, 2022, Gerardo Silano, 82, slid down an escalator after being unable to join his wife Irma, 78, in a tiny elevator heading up to the North terminal.
Gatwick was one of several airports that saw long lines and flight confusion throughout the summer due to a lack of employees.
Despite the fact that special assistance had been scheduled and was available for the couple when they arrived, Mr. Silano chose to walk with his family, according to an inquest into his death held today in Chichester.
The Basingstoke, Hampshire, grandpa of four accompanied his 49-year-old son Pasquale Silano to the escalator leading to the North Terminal near Gatwick’s Skybridge.
As the family stepped off the aircraft and into the airport, Pasquale acknowledged he had not been fully present and had been “multi-tasking.”
When he noticed his mother waiting for the lift in a wheelchair, he instructed his father to board the lift with her.
He said that while his father did not accompany him into the escalator, he heard noises behind him as he moved near “Baggage Reclaim.”
He stated: “I heard a lady screaming and then a woman scream in a statement delivered at the inquest. My dad was laying at the bottom of the escalator when I approached it and peered down it.
As I hurried down the escalator with my suitcase still in tow, I saw three Easyjet employees rushing to assist the man. I took my father’s hand. His eyes revealed that he was in pain. My dad had fallen quite a ways.
In order to save his father’s life, Pasquale said that Easyjet workers intervened, assisted his father into a recovery posture, and dialed an ambulance. He added that he “was certain everything was being done” by airport officials.
He said, “Dad had a long and excellent life. He endured and overcame so many things lately that we believed he was invincible.”
Grandfatherhood revealed to us his gentler side. He adored his family and was always happiest when they were there. Dad also enjoyed spending time in the allotment and gardening.
The family described Mr. Silano as’strong and resilient’, adding that he had been married for more than 50 years and cherished being a grandpa.
According to a statement from the family, “Dad had a long and happy life. We were all so shocked to lose him so quickly.
Dad always put forth a lot of extra effort to support his family. He was a fighter. More than 50 years of marriage separated mom and dad.
He loved his wife, his kids, and his grandkids beyond everything else. He was always happy when he was around his family since he adored them.
Gatwick Airport claims neither a lack of workers nor a delay in providing special assistance had a role in this terrible tragedy, and the inquiry has been postponed until next year in order to gather further information.
Gatwick Airport issued the following statement: “Our sympathies are with the Silano family throughout this trying time.”
“To go into depth before the inquest’s findings would not be proper.” What I can say, however, is that extra help was given as asked and was unrelated to the tragic occurrence.
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