By aviation writer Scott Mayman

A Brisbane couple has gone public because Jetstar ignored them after a man was seriously injured falling from the steps of a flight from Canberra.

The pair was travelling in early September and the man fell on the second-last step of the staircase while disembarking.

“He rolled, quite literally, on to the tarmac,” the woman has told the media.

The ground crew suggested they go home by taxi, but the woman insisted on calling an ambulance.

At the hospital, they were told the man had cracked four ribs and sprained his wrist. He was in hospital for four nights.

Carla Melbourne, from Shine Lawyers, who is familiar with the case, says passengers have rights. She says always document incidents, in case you need them later.

“Same goes if you slip in the supermarket,” she says. It’s important to gather evidence in car accidents – even fender benders.

“Take photos and get as much information about the other driver. If they drive off, document what you can and speak with a lawyer as investigations will need CCTV footage to be obtained”.

The Jetstar couple went public because of the way the airline treated them.

The woman says she was told Jetstar would follow up with the incident, but did not hear back from the airline until after media was involved.

“It’s about the occupational health and safety issues that need to be discussed with Jetstar,” she says.

Comment has been sought from Jetstar.