Chilling screams as granddad plunged to his death from escalator amid Gatwick Airport chaos
A SON has revealed the horrified screams of passengers after his disabled dad plunged to his death from an escalator at Gatwick Airport.
Gerardo Silano, 82, died after fracturing his spine when he tripped and fell following a family holiday in Naples, Italy.
His son, Pasquale, rushed down the escalator but could only "hold his hand" as he passed away suddenly, an inquest heard.
The family had booked special assistance in the form of a wheelchair and a buggy to help Gerardo, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, and his wife, Irma, off the Easyjet flight and through the terminal on the afternoon of June 15.
However, when they disembarked, Gerardo decided to walk while Irma, 78, took the wheelchair.
Pasquale, 49, had expected his dad to go in the lift with Irma, but instead the elderly gentleman joined the escalator some way behind his son.
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He suddenly fell and passed away shortly after, despite staff's attempts to save him.
Pasquale told the inquest into his father's death: "I heard a woman shout and then a woman scream. When I approached the escalator and looked down it I could see my dad lying at the bottom of it.
I held my dad’s hand. I could see in his eyes he was hurt.
Pasquale Silano
"I dropped my bag and ran down the escalator and saw some Easyjet staff running to help him. I held my dad’s hand. I could see in his eyes he was hurt. My dad had fallen some distance.
"Dad lived a long and good life and he had weathered and triumphed over so many thing recently we thought he was indestructible."
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He also admitted that he had not been paying full attention as he was "multi-tasking" as the family disembarked.
Gatwick was one of a number of airports swept by chaos in the summer, with huge queues and flight cancellations caused by staff shortages.
Many brits had baggage stuck hundreds of miles away and were forced to sleep on the floor in terminals amid seemingly endless delays.
However, the inquest determined that the reduced staff numbers did not contribute to the accident.
Mr Silano's family called him a "strong and resilient" man who had been married over 50 years and loved being a grandfather.
Pasquale added: "Being a grandfather showed us his softer side. He loved his family and was always at his happiest when he was surrounded by them. Dad also had a love for gardening and enjoyed his days at the allotment."
The inquest was adjourned until next year for further evidence.
A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: "Our thoughts continue to be with the Silano family at this difficult time.
"It would not be appropriate to go into detail ahead of the conclusion of the inquest. However what I can say is special assistance was provided as requested and did not play a role in the sad incident."