A woman tragically died while on board an easyJet flight despite three fellow passengers admirably stepping in to try and save her life. The 67-year-old traveller suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while on the plane on Tuesday, March 25. The aircraft was flying from Tenerife to Liverpool yet was diverted to northern Spain.
Three passengers on the flight, which included a nurse and a physiotherapist, performed CPR for nearly 50 minutes during the plane’s reroute. After departing from the Canary Island at around 6.45pm, the flight made an emergency stop at Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport where paramedics were waiting. However, the woman, who was travelling with her husband, died while on board before the plane was able to land. Eyewitnesses reported that the emergency situation unfolded at 35,000 feet in the air.
One passenger was among those who responded when the cabin crew asked for assistance with the woman. “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,” he said, wishing to remain anonymous.
After the aircraft landed, police, paramedics and a CID team boarded the plane before other passengers were able to get off. The remaining travellers were offered overnight accommodation before completing their journey the next day.
The man who assisted with the CPR later said to the woman’s husband: “I’m so sorry. We tried everything to keep her alive.”
Another passenger on the flight praised the efforts of those who attempted to save her life. “They were exemplary,” they told the Liverpool Echo. “The woman fell ill and the pilot asked for nurses and doctors over the speaker. Three people came forward and were unbelievable.”
On social media, Spanish air traffic controllers said they had “facilitated a continuous descent and approach to runway 35” after being informed the crew was “trying to revive a 67-year-old female passenger who is unconscious”.
An easyJet spokesman said: “Flight EZY3366 from Tenerife to Liverpool on March 25 was required to divert to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro where it was met by paramedics due to a customer on board requiring urgent medical attention.”
“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 confirmed they have “remained in contact with the family and are continuing to offer our support and assistance”.
