LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- A boy with Down syndrome was prevented from boarding a plane from Newark, N.J., to Los Angeles, his outraged parents said.

Bede Vanderhorst, a 16-year-old with Down syndrome, was stopped by airline officials and not allowed on the American Airlines flight he was supposed to take with his parents, Joan and Robert Venderhorst. Joan Vanderhorst began videotaping the incident on her cell phone, telling KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, she believed her son’s civil rights were violated. She also said it was a violation of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

In the video Joan Vanderhorst can be heard sobbing and Robert disputing the matter with airline officials. Bede is seen sitting quietly playing with his hat.

The couple told the TV station they have flown with their son dozens of times without incident. They believe they were targeted this time because they had upgraded to first class.

“This little boy had a seat in the first class area, and for some reason, they didn’t want that. That wasn‘t acceptable,” she said.

A spokesman for American Airlines disputes the family’s claim, saying the child was excitable and running around. The airline said the pilot unsuccessfully tried to calm the boy down before telling the family he presented a risk to passenger safety. Eventually airport police were forced to intervene in the dispute and the Vanderhorsts were booked on a United flight instead.

<관련 한글 기사>

항공사, 다운증후군 승객 탑승 거부

미 항공사 아메리칸 에어라인(American Airlines)이 다운증후군이 있는 소년의 탑승을 거부해 논란이 되고 있다.

비드 밴더호스트(16)는 부모와 함께 뉴저지의 뉴아크에서 LA까지 항공기를 이용할 예정이었다.

그러나 AA 항공사가 아들의 탑승을 거부한 후 부모는 아들의 인권이 침해당했다며 현지 언론에 사건 당시 녹화한 영상을 공개했다.

부모에 따르면 그 전에 한번도 아들이 비행기 탑승을 거부당한 적은 없었다고 한다. 부모는 이번에 좌석을 1등석으로 업그레이드했기 때문에 항공사가 돌변했다고 믿고 있다.

결국 경찰이 개입했고 가족의 비행 스케쥴은 유나이티드 항공사 비행기로 다시 예약되었다.

(코리아헤럴드)