Plane makes emergency landing ‘to save a life’

A FlySafair flight between Cape Town and Lanseria yesterday made an emergency landing in Bloemfontein to save a passenger’s life.

A passenger messaged The Citizen from Bloemfontein reporting that a male passenger had lost consciousness aboard the flight. It departed from Cape Town International Airport at 7.20am with 184 passengers on board.

“While cruising, the crew identified a passenger requiring medical assistance,” said FlySafair spokesperson Kirby Gordon.

“Equipped with basic first aid training, the crew promptly responded, notifying the captain and attempting to stabilise the passenger. A call was made for any medical professionals onboard to lend assistance,” he said.

“He lost consciousness and the crew were unable to revive him,” the passenger said, estimating the man was about 60 years old.

“According to the crew, the man was on blood pressure medication and likely suffered a stroke,” he said.

As the condition of the passenger became critical, the captain diverted the flight to the nearest airport for medical attention.

“The flight landed in Bloemfontein at 8.43am, where medical personnel were already prepared to assist. The passenger was stabilised in the ambulance and transported to the nearest hospital,” said Gordon.

The flight departed about an hour later to complete the journey to Lanseria.

“All I can say that the staff were extremely professional,” the passenger told The Citizen.

“The assistance rendered on board was exemplary.”

“Medical emergencies fortunately don’t happen frequently but our crews are trained to manage them,” said Gordon.

“Unfortunately, we have no information on how the customer is doing at the moment.”