British Airways staff raise thousands for cabin crew colleague stuck in a Cape Town hospital after contracting malaria on a flight to Africa
Laura Shaw suffered collapsed lung after contracting disease in Nigeria
BRITISH Airways staff have raised £3,000 for a member of cabin crew after she contracted malaria.
Laura Shaw is thought to have caught the bug in Lagos, Nigeria, but it wasn’t until she later arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, that she was taken seriously ill.
BA dispute claims made by friends of Laura that she was abandoned by the airline because she went on strike weeks earlier – as her family criticised the airline.
Friends said she was left “on her own for six days with fever and severe headaches and very little medical attention”.
Laura was so desperate for help she posted a plea for water and pain medication on a BA cabin crew social media site.
She was eventually taken to hospital and a dramatic photo shows her wearing breathing apparatus after suffering a collapsed lung as she fights the blood disease.
Laura, a member of BA’s disgruntled mixed fleet crew, has recently taken strike action in an ongoing row over pay - so had her staff travel removed by irate bosses.
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Laura’s mother Jane, who is hard of hearing, had to fly to Cape Town to visit her ailing daughter alone.
A family source said: “Laura’s family has been frantic with her so seriously ill, so far away.
“It took a lot of shouting and screaming to get BA to step in.”
BA said they were now looking after their stewardess’s family.
British Airways told The Sun: “The safety, health and welfare of our staff is of the utmost importance to us and we take our duty of care to our employees very seriously.
“We were very sorry to learn that Laura was so unwell, and have been in daily contact with her and her family to provide our full support and assistance to them.
“We flew two family members out to be with Laura and are providing them with hotel accommodation while she is in hospital.
“Cabin crew travelling to malarial areas are fully briefed every time they visit these destinations and are given top strength repellent in order to provide them the best protection.
“Anti–Malaria medication is available to crew and we have a dedicated medical team on hand to offer advice and assistance.
“We check our hotels and transportation to minimise the chance of contact with mosquitoes.”
It is understood that Laura is now showing signs of recovery in Cape Town.
But shocked colleagues set up a gofundme page to get her funds while she recuperates in South Africa, with the total reaching £3,005.
A friend said: “We all worry about money and Laura is no exception so the issue is not helping her recovery.
“She’s low on funds to cover bills and expenses.
“BA has not covered itself in glory here and the idea she has been abandoned because she went on strike leaves a very bad taste.”
BA’s mixed fleet crew is set to go on strike for a month in the ongoing row over pay.
A pay deal has been agreed but the sides are now stuck over BA bosses refusing to reinstate travel perks for staff who walked out.
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