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Loose Women's Sophie Morgan claims British Airways broke her £8,000 wheelchair

The TV personality criticised the airline's response after being told to send them an email.

Disabled TV presenter Sophie Morgan abandoned on empty plane for 40 minutes
Disabled TV presenter Sophie Morgan says British Airways broke her wheelchair. (Getty)

Loose Women star Sophie Morgan has claimed that British Airways broke her wheelchair in transit.

The broadcaster, who requires a wheelchair at all times after suffering a spinal injury at 18, says the airline damaged her chair on a flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow.

Taking to Instagram to detail the experience, Morgan said: "Landed at Heathrow with a bang. Someone - no one took responsibility - decided to attach my wheelchair and my batec (battery-powered attachment) whilst in transit (they were checked in separately, in two parts, unattached) and they have done so a) without permission and b) COMPLETELY WRONG!!!"

Read more: Disabled TV presenter Sophie Morgan abandoned on empty plane for 40 minutes

She continued: "It took over half an hour to "break" them apart, all that time I had to sit on an aisle chair that was NOT safe and I didn’t know if I would be able to get back into my chair. Eventually, they broke them apart and I got back into my chair and reattached the batec but it’s not safe to use. I then discovered more damage."

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Sophie Morgan was traveling from LA to London when her wheelchair was broken in transit. (Alamy)

Morgan also explained her poor experience with British Airways customer service: "And what was I told to do by BRITISH AIRWAYS!? Send an email via the website.This has GOT TO STOP. Thousands of chairs are damaged by airlines every year. It’s #JustPlaneWrong."

Yahoo has contacted British Airways for a response.

Morgan's Loose Women panelist Charlene White shared her dismay at the situation on Twitter calling the incident 'unacceptable'.

Since her injury in 2003, Morgan has been a vocal campaigner for disability rights and also designed a mannequin for wheelchair users for retailers to use in shops.

As well as making several appearances on Loose Women since 2021, Morgan has also been a part of Channel 4's broadcasting team for the Paralympic Games since 2012.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19:  Sophie Morgan walks with the aid of 'Rex', a Robotic Exoskeleton at the Welcome Trust on September 19, 2012 in London, England. The system allows wheelchair users including fully paralysed people, to stand upright and walk independently. Sophie was paralysed from the breast bone down in 2003 following a car accident.  (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Sophie Morgan tests out a robot walking system. (Getty Images)

Morgan has also fronted documentaries on disabled models, road accidents and transport issues for disabled people.

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