A passenger on an easyJet flight bound for Liverpool tragically lost her life after suffering a cardiac arrest mid-flight, despite the valiant efforts of fellow travelers and crew to revive her.
The Daily Star reported that the 67-year-old woman, flying from Tenerife with her husband, experienced the medical emergency shortly after takeoff, prompting a diversion to Santiago–Rosalía de Castro Airport in Northern Spain for immediate assistance.
As the crisis unfolded, three passengers, including a nurse, took turns performing CPR for nearly 50 minutes. One of the assisting passengers recounted the chilling moment when the staff requested medical aid, saying, "The staff got an oxygen tank and a defibrillator while myself, a nurse and a physiotherapist took it in turns to perform CPR on the woman."
Despite their best efforts, the woman passed away before the flight touched the ground, as emergency services were unable to save her in time. A passenger who was part of the CPR team reflected, "We tried our best but she died onboard the plane."
Another passenger, who observed the events, expressed admiration for those who stepped forward to help, stating, "They were exemplary. The woman fell ill and the pilot asked for nurses and doctors over the speaker. Three people came forward and were unbelievable."
The crew of flight EZY3366, upon understanding the severity of the situation, informed Spanish air traffic controllers of the need for an urgent diversion.
The controllers facilitated a continuous descent and rapid approach to runway 35, coordinating medical care on the ground with the airport authorities.
After landing, police, paramedics, and a CID team boarded the aircraft while passengers disembarked. The incident left a somber atmosphere, with one passenger recalling a poignant moment with the woman's husband: "I spoke to her husband afterwards and just said I'm so sorry. We tried everything to keep her alive."
easyJet confirmed the flight diversion due to the medical emergency and reiterated their commitment to passenger and crew well-being.
A spokesperson for the airline stated, "The well-being of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority. Our crew are trained to respond to medical issues and did everything possible during the flight, along with a medical professional who was assisting on board."
The airline also mentioned ongoing support for the bereaved family, emphasizing, "We have remained in contact with the family and are continuing to offer our support and assistance."
Spanish air traffic controllers played a crucial role in the rescue mission, as they revealed, "The crew of the flight from Tenerife South to Liverpool informs us that they need to urgently divert to the airport at Santiago because they are trying to revive a 67-year-old female passenger who is unconscious."
The flight's diversion was expertly managed to ensure the quickest possible arrival at the designated airport. Nevertheless, the unfortunate circumstances led to the woman passing away before further aid could be rendered on land.
As passengers processed the grim outcome, reflections on the collective efforts underscored the dedication of those onboard.
The community on the flight bonded over their shared attempt to save a life, highlighting the compassionate response to an emergent situation.
The events aboard flight EZY3366 serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of emergency preparedness. It also emphasizes the impact of trained professionals and volunteers who rise to action during unexpected crises.
