Inoperative security badges kill Nigerian at JFK Airport

Gunseye Adekunle, a fifty-year old Nigerian has been reported dead at the newly renovated US$1.4 billion Terminal 4 of JFK Airport in New York. According to The Post's report, Adekunle died when 2 different paramedic teams couldn't' reach him as a result of inoperative security badges.

 Adekunle went into cardiac arrest while preparing to board an aircraft belong to Arik Air. Airport's police emergency operator got the call around 6:30 a.m. and was told Adekunle was “unresponsive” but breathing. An ambulance was immediately dispatched, but the crew was unable to get to the terminal from the street "because an officer's security card wasn't working," the tabloid reports.

Although the EMTs found an alternate entrance, but they wasted two minutes, which is significant in the treatment of heart attack. 

The fire department also encountered similar problems when the Port Authority officer escorting the team was also denied entry by the terminal's security system that didn't recognize his access card too.

Finally, Adekunle was transported from the terminal to the FDNY ambulance since no security cards are necessary to exit the airport, and was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was declared dead.

However, a spokesperson for the Port Authority said that technically, there was no delay when it came to administering aid to Adekunle, since a customs official began performing CPR immediately after the heart attack occurred.

The spokesperson added that the incident is under investigation. As of now, no changes have been made to the security doors or to Port Authority personnel's badges. 

Construction for Terminal 4 began in 2010, and opened to the public in May. Among its amenities, the terminal has "a consolidated security check point," and "more efficient screening." 

JFK's official website described Terminal 4 as "one of the most modern, efficient, spacious and unique terminals in the New York area," and a "successful paradigm for air terminal management."