Man Barred From Riding Plane Over 'Damaged Passport' Dies After Missing Blood Treatment

A British man with a blood disease died after he was denied entry to a flight that would have allowed him to return home and undergo a blood transfusion to treat his illness, according to reports.

Chaz Carl Powell, of Camberwell in southeast London, died on March 12 in Jamaica of "apparent organ failure after his health spiraled out of control," MyLondon reported. The family is still waiting for a post-mortem.

The 41-year-old, who was visiting his girlfriend on the island, was supposed to fly from the Jamaican city of Montego Bay to London's Gatwick Airport on March 9 so he could undergo his regular blood transfusion at King’s College Hospital, a report by Metro said.

Powell had sickle cell anemia, which meant he had "unusually shaped red blood cells" that could cause painful episodes, serious risk of infections and shortness of breath due to anemia, according to the outlet.

However, British Airways in the Montego Bay airport refused to let Powell board his flight as his passport was allegedly too badly damaged.

The staff at the check-in desk claimed that Powell "did not match" the picture on his damaged passport, his 60-year-old mother Sandra alleged to MyLondon.

While Powell had "put on weight" and "grown dreads" since his passport photo was taken, "you can still tell it was him," the mother said.

Powell applied for emergency travel documents at the British Consulate in Jamaica, but he developed severe jaundice while waiting. The photo he took for his new travel documents reportedly showed he was suffering from the condition.

Powell was also "complaining of stomach aches" and was "struggling to eat" prior to his death, according to his 30-year-old girlfriend Monique Allen.

He was taken to the hospital and died despite doctors’ efforts to resuscitate him.

Sandra believes her "helpful and caring" son died because the stress from the entire passport ordeal worsened his illness.

"I can’t talk about it, I do not even want to think about it. That should never have happened, they had no right to take control of my son’s life," said the elderly Southwark council officer.

Sudden changes in temperature, dehydration and stress are known to exacerbate the symptoms of sickle cell.

British Airways issued a statement following Powell's death.

"We’re saddened to hear that one of our customers has passed away and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time," the airline said.

"Airlines are required by law to ensure that all documents presented for travel are valid. While our airport team did what they could to help Mr. Powell, unfortunately, the photo page of his passport was so badly damaged it could no longer be regarded as a valid travel document," it added.