Ryanair flight in mid-air emergency and 'asks if any medically-trained passengers on board'
Heroic crew members on the budget flight stepped in to shield the passenger from the eyes of 'nosy people', it has emerged.
A Ryanair flight has been forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger suffered a heart attack mid-air. Heroic crew members on the budget flight stepped in to shield the passenger from the eyes of 'nosy people', it has emerged.
The flight - travelling to Gran Canaria in Spain in the European Union - from Bournemouth in England was forced to make an emergency landing in France after a female passenger suffered a suspected heart attack.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft had been approximately halfway to its destination on Monday when the medical emergency unfolded. Crew on the airline made an announcement asking if any medically-trained passengers were on board.
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"Suddenly the bongs came up over the PA system and they said: 'If there is a medically-trained passenger on board, can you make yourself known immediately, please'," passenger Chris Howard told the BBC.
"Turned out the guy was a retired cardiologist and the lady was having a heart attack," he said. After assessing the woman, the retiree spoke directly with the pilot, which led to "a very rapid descent" towards Brest.
Howard also praised Ryanair staff for keeping the woman shielded from "lots of nosy people". "Approximately an hour later we were taking off and were on our way home, which was amazing really," said Howard. "We all felt like they've done a smashing job."
A Ryanair spokesman said: "This flight from Gran Canaria to Bournemouth diverted to Brest after a passenger became ill onboard." The airline is rivalled by the likes of Jet2, Easyjet, TUI and British Airways, as well as others.
"The crew called ahead for medical assistance to meet the aircraft upon landing at Brest Airport," the spokesperson added.
"The passenger was disembarked and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. This flight continued to Bournemouth that same day."