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Doctor Dragged Off United Airlines Flight Reveals His Injuries After Settlement

Doctor Dragged Off United Airlines Flight Reveals His Injuries After Settlement

But says he'd still fly with them.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

In April, images flashed around the world of Dr David Dao being dragged off a United Airlines flight.

A few days after the video showed the shocking treatment of the passenger - who was kicked off the overbooked flight 'at random' - his lawyer revealed the initial injuries suffered.

Attorney Thomas Demetrio said that he'd suffered concussion, a broken noise, injured sinuses and lost two front teeth. Dao had also told his lawyer that the experience was less terrifying than what he experienced during the Vietnam War.

Dao has now revealed, to DailyMail.com, that he feels he may have permanent brain damage. The doctor struggles to sleep, has little co-ordination and is unable to concentrate.

He was travelling, with his wife, from Chicago to Louisville, US, and was dragged off by security staff who lost control, and dropped his head onto an arm rest. He now claims he has no recollection of the events.

"I'm in the process of recovery," he told DailyMail.com. "I cannot concentrate well, or sleep well, I need more time to recover, more rest from concussion. I need surgery to correct my nose, but first of all I worry about my brain.

"I can't think of it, can't think how scary that is [that the damage may be permanent]. I can't think about going back to work right now.

"I could be like this in a year's time, I don't know. I'm not looking pretty good right now."

Dao, who has run 31 marathons in his life, added that he now struggles to walk, and can only use a computer very slowly.

Credit: Instagram/cdaogladman

The incident wiped $800m (£620m) off the United Airlines share price at the time, with its catchphrase 'fly the friendly skies' also mocked.

The company's CEO, Oscar Munoz, sent an internal email claiming that Dao was 'belligerent and disruptive', despite apologising in public.

When he was asked if Munoz had contacted him personally, Dao said: "No, no, no. I didn't speak to anyone, not the CEO, not anyone from the company, only through my lawyer."

The company, since Dao's interview, has issued a statement saying: "We continue to express our sincerest apology to Dr Dao.

"We cannot stress enough that we remain steadfast in our commitment to make this right. This horrible situation has provided a harsh learning experience from which we will take immediate, concrete action."

United CEO Oscar Munoz. (Credit: PA)

Despite everything that has gone on, Dao says he would still fly with the airline.

"I would fly with United again," he said, "because aviation policy has changed after the accident, I want to see how it's changed. I would be happy to fly tomorrow if I was well enough.

"They haven't offered me free flights though."

Dao also revealed that he is writing a book about his time in Vietnam, his escape during the war, and how he got into music (he plays the guitar and the harmonica).

Credit: PA

A couple of days ago, the airline was back in the spotlight after Shirley Yamachui, a mum from Hawaii, claimed her two-year-old son had to share her seat for three-and-a-half hours on a United flight in order to make room for another passenger.

The teacher had splashed out $1,000 (£770) on a seat for her son, but claims a stewardess told her to give up her seat - despite any child over two being required to have their own.

She later claimed that the last minute passenger admitted that he only paid $75 for the ticket.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Kaylyn Davis

Topics: United Airlines