Irish Para Swimmer, Patrick Flanagan’s wheelchair sustained damage whilst being transported on a flights between Fuerteventura, Madrid and London Heathrow on August 13th. The flights, that were operated by Iberian Airlines left Fuerteventura on August 13th at 11:00 stopping in Madrid at 14:40 before continuing on to London Heathrow at 15:45 and landing on London at 17:05.
On arrival at London Heathrow it became apparent that Patrick’s wheelchair had sustained serious damage that meant the chair could was no longer usable. Patrick was given the use of a spare chair for the rest of his journey and his replacement chair has already arrived after being transported by a member of Paralympics Ireland staff.
Paralympics Ireland have contacted the flight operators to discuss the incident and raise concerns about the transportation of a vital piece of equipment and to ascertain how the damage could have happened.
Patrick and the rest of the Team Ireland Para Swimming Team are currently flying on the final part of their journey between London Heathrow and Tokyo.
