{
  "id": 1626146,
  "title": "Disability advocate removed from Virgin flight over wheelchair motor dispute",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/disability-advocate-removed-from-virgin-flight-over-wheelchair-motor",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:34:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/shane-hryhorec-disability-advocate-removed-from-virgin-flight/107049174"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Disability advocate Shane Hryhorec claims he was humiliated after being removed from a Virgin Australia flight due to a dispute over storing his portable wheelchair motor. Hryhorec, who has C5 incomplete quadriplegia, had no issue boarding three previous Virgin flights with his wheelchair and service animal. On the problematic flight, he was instructed to store the motor under the seat in his row, but found no space due to the row's configuration. The cabin crew suggested keeping the motor by his feet, but Hryhorec refused to place it next to his service dog for safety reasons. After consulting with staff, he was ultimately asked to leave the plane as there was no suitable alternative seating option. Virgin Australia stated they were reviewing the incident and would look into better identifying seating and stowage requirements in advance.",
  "summary": "Virgin Australia says it is reviewing an incident where a wheelchair user was removed from a flight after his battery-powered motor could not be stored in overhead lockers on board.",
  "key_points": [
    "Disability advocate Shane Hryhorec removed from Virgin flight.",
    "Portable wheelchair motor dispute caused removal.",
    "Virgin Australia reviewing incident for seating arrangements."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Man ‘humiliated’ after being kicked off Virgin flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/man-humiliated-after-being-kicked-off-virgin-flight",
        "published": "2026-08-18T04:25:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Man ‘humiliated’ after being kicked off Virgin flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/man-humiliated-after-being-kicked-off-virgin-flight-1632425",
        "published": "2026-08-18T04:25:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}