Famous giant bunny dies on United flight
PR-disaster magnets, United Airlines, are back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, after a prized giant rabbit died on one of its planes.
Per The Sun UK, Simon – the bunny who was destined to become the world’s biggest – was found dead on arrival after travelling from London Heathrow to O’Hare airport in Chicago, where a celebrity had reportedly purchased him.
United is in a rough patch for reputation lately after a doctor was dragged off its plane, and blamed for being belligerent, before United ended up copping a whole bunch of criticism for its actions.
Per The Sun, breeder Annette Edwards, said 91cm Simon, who died in the cargo holding of the United plane, was expected to grow to be the world’s biggest rabbit.
Edwards also claimed he was healthy when placed in the cargo hold.
Edwards told the paper, “Simon had a vet’s check-up three hours before the flight and was fit as a fiddle.
“Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I’ve sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before.
“The client who bought Simon is very famous. He’s upset.”
United Airlines needs to chill. Now, they have killed a giant 3-foot rabbit named Simon. https://t.co/A4pIS8Tb9R … #RIPSimon pic.twitter.com/XkrNH8jZPh
— Joshua McGee (@joshuarmcgee) April 26, 2017
Per The Sun, an airport source said news of Simon’s death left cabin crew in a panic, claiming, “After the viral video no-one wanted responsibility for killing what was to be the world’s biggest rabbit.”
The airline now faces a legal claim from Simon’s new owner and Edwards.
Simon, a continental giant rabbit, was 10 months old, and was on the right path to outgrowing his dad, Darius, the current title holder for world’s biggest rabbit at 134cm.
Continental giants cost £5000 (AU$8500) a year to keep. Edward’s rabbits are hired out at £500 (AU$850) a time.
United Airlines has only commented, “We are reviewing this matter” at time of publishing, per The Sun.
Photograph: Caters News Agency
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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