[imagesource:flickr]

On Monday, a FlySafair flight had to make an emergency landing in Bloemfontein to save a passenger’s life.

The plane departed from Cape Town International Airport at 7:20AM with 184 passengers on board and was headed for Lanseria when a male passenger suddenly lost consciousness mid-flight.

A passenger reportedly messaged The Citizen from Bloemfontein explaining the situation, noting that the crew had identified a passenger who required medical assistance.

“From what I could determine he lost consciousness,” the passenger recounted and estimated that the man was around 60 years old.

FlySafair spokesperson Kirby Gordon noted that the crew, “equipped with basic first aid training, [sic] promptly responded to the situation, notifying the captain and attempting to stabilise the passenger”. He said a call was made for any medical professionals onboard to lend assistance as well.

The man was on blood pressure medication and likely suffered a stroke, according to the crew.

The captain immediately diverted the flight to the nearest airport when the passenger’s condition became critical so that he could receive immediate medical attention.

“The flight safely landed in Bloemfontein at 08:43, where medical personnel were already prepared to assist. The passenger was stabilised in the ambulance and transported to the nearest hospital for further treatment,” said Gordon.

The passenger said that the “staff were extremely professional” and the “captain was front and centre” while the other passengers remained “respectful and cooperative”.

He noted that the cabin crew were possibly a bit traumatised because the captain was reassuring one of them, but still, the crew were very caring and supportive towards the patient’s partner.

“The assistance rendered on board was also exemplary because the patient was able to walk himself off the aircraft, even if he was still visibly unwell from the ordeal.”

Gordon concluded that medical emergencies don’t happen all that often, but that when they do, the staff are well trained and equipped to handle it as best as they can.

It is unclear what exactly happened to the man who passed out, and what his current state is.

Yesterday we reported on that horror Lufthansa flight where a man died after coughing up “litres of blood”. While these back-to-back incidents make it seem as though flying brings about ill health, it is rare, likely coincidental, and should be considered as such – for your own mental health.

[source:citizen]