A devastating incident at the Huntington Tri-State Airport has led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Allegiant Air. In March 2024, 24-year-old Hunter Adkins of West Virginia, who lived with muscular dystrophy, died following a severe fall during the aircraft boarding process.
According to the lawsuit filed by his father, Tony Adkins, the airline failed to provide necessary boarding assistance. The family alleges that trained staff were reassigned to handle luggage. As a result, personnel placed Hunter in an unsafe wheelchair without securing straps before pushing him up a ramp. Due to his physical condition, Hunter was unable to brace himself when he fell forward and the heavy chair tipped onto him.
His father and younger brother tragically witnessed the fall. Hunter suffered fatal injuries and passed away the following morning.
The lawsuit officially accuses the airline of negligence and inadequate staff training. While Allegiant Air expressed its sympathy, it declined to comment further on the details. This heartbreaking case is now driving a nationwide push for stricter safety protocols and better accountability to protect disabled travelers.
According to the lawsuit filed by his father, Tony Adkins, the airline failed to provide necessary boarding assistance. The family alleges that trained staff were reassigned to handle luggage.
As a result, personnel placed Hunter in an unsafe wheelchair without securing straps before pushing him up a ramp. Due to his physical condition, Hunter was unable to brace himself when he fell forward and the heavy chair tipped onto him.
His father and younger brother tragically witnessed the fall. Hunter suffered fatal injuries and passed away the following morning.
The lawsuit officially accuses the airline of negligence and inadequate staff training. While Allegiant Air expressed its sympathy, it declined to comment further on the details. This heartbreaking case is now driving a nationwide push for stricter safety protocols and better accountability to protect disabled travelers.
