Indian dies after falling ill on flight
Riyadh-Calicut flight makes emergency landing in Abu Dhabi, but man going home to Kerala dies in hospital
Apassenger flying home to India from Saudi Arabia died in an Abu Dhabi hospital yesterday. The plane made an emergency landing in the UAE capital after he complained of discomfort.
The Air India Express flight IX-322 that was flying from Riyadh to Calicut landed at Abu Dhabi airport at 3.51pm after the passenger, Mohammad Saleem, 35, complained of discomfort, Ranjan Datta, manager of Air India, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, told Gulf News.
The flight resumed its journey at 5.48pm.
The medical team at the airport responded quickly to the emergency and rushed Saleem, a native of Malappuram in Kerala, to Mafraq Hospital, Datta said.
Unfortunately, Saleem was pronounced dead.
“Doctors at the hospital said initial diagnosis suggested heart attack as the cause of death; however, we have to wait for the death certificate to confirm it,” Datta said.
“We are sad that the young man’s life could not be saved despite the best efforts by the airline staff, the medical team at the airport and doctors at the hospital.”
The airline brother informed Saleem’s in Saudi Arabia. “Our station manager in Calicut is in touch with the deceased’s family and we are doing everything to support them,” Datta said.
Electrician for 14 years
When Gulf News contacted Saleem’s brother in Riyadh, he was not in a position to speak as he was a state of shock. A neighbour, Ahmad Shareef, informed Gulf News that Saleem was working as an electrician for past 14 years in Riyadh. He was diagnosed with a minor heart problem a few days ago and doctors had advised him to undergo treatment in India as his medical insurance did not cover such procedures, Shareef said.
“He was planning to go on vacation after two months to attend the wedding of his younger sister and brother and the housewarming of his newly constructed house,” he said.
Shareef said Saleem brought forward his vacation plans and was perfectly well while preparing for travel.
Saleem’s wife and two children, aged 6 and 3, were looking forward to meeting him earlier than expected.