Man forced to sit next to corpse for hours after passenger dies on 15-hour flight

Mitchell Ring spent four hours sitting in the same row as the deceased woman.

An Australian couple experienced a traumatic flight after being forced to sit next to a deceased passenger for four hours on a Qatar Airways journey from Melbourne to Doha.

Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were en route to Venice via Qatar when a fellow passenger collapsed near the aircraft’s bathroom. Despite efforts to save her, the woman was pronounced dead mid-flight.

Cabin crew initially attempted to move the body to business class but were unsuccessful due to space constraints. Instead, they placed the deceased passenger in a seat next to Ring, leaving Colin—already a nervous flyer—deeply distressed.

The pair said they were traumatized by the incident.

The incident, which occurred last week, is now under investigation by both Qatar Airways and Qantas, through whom the couple had booked their tickets.

Speaking to A Current Affair, Ring recalled the heartbreaking moment: “Unfortunately, the lady couldn’t be saved, which was pretty heartbreaking to watch.”

After failing to relocate the body, the crew asked the couple to shift seats. Colin was shocked when her husband urged her to move, realizing the deceased passenger would be placed next to them.

No alternative seating was offered, but a kind fellow passenger gave up a spare seat for Colin, allowing her to move away, while Ring remained beside the body.

Upon landing in Doha, the couple had to remain seated as paramedics boarded the aircraft to retrieve the deceased.

“It wasn’t nice. They have a duty of care towards their customers as well as their staff,” Ring said.

The couple said they were traumatized by the incident, which unfolded when a woman walked out of the bathroom and collapsed next to their row

Qatar Airways expressed condolences to the deceased passenger’s family, stating: “We apologize for any inconvenience or distress this incident may have caused and are in the process of contacting passengers in line with our policies and procedures.”

Qantas also confirmed that the incident is under investigation.

What was meant to be a dream vacation to Venice has been overshadowed by the distressing ordeal. Ring acknowledged he may need professional support following the experience, while Colin is trying to remain positive: “We’re on holidays, so we’re really trying to have a good time.”