Flight returns to Mumbai to save flier who suffered heart attack mid-air
Incident took place on May 22, an hour after the flight took off for Kolkata
Quick thinking on the part of cabin crew aboard a Kolkata-bound Jet Airways flight saved the life of a flier who suffered a heart attack mid-air. The incident had occurred on May 22. Rohit Dalmiya was saved after the aircraft flew back to Mumbai after declaring a medical emergency.
After landing, medical staff and a team of doctors provided Dalmiya emergency medical care inside the aircraft following which he was rushed to RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Vile Parle.
Others fliers said quick thinking on the part of cabin saved Dalmiya. Ram Saraogi, head of a Mumbai-based business group, who was on the flight, wrote an appreciation letter to Jet Airways chairperson on Monday.
“An hour after our flight departed on May 22, a mid-aged Mr Dalmiya, seated just one row ahead from us, had a massive heart attack and collapsed. The flight crew rushed to his aid and handled him very carefully. It was shortly decided to turn the plane around and head back to Mumbai airport where he could get proper medical care,” reads the letter.
Kevin Baretto (cabin officer) and Akansha Tyagi (cabin staff) were appreciated for handling the passenger instantly and carefully.
Airport officials said there number of medical emergencies at the airport has increased since 2014. From October 2016 to August 2017, the airport handled 413 medical emergencies. Moreover, it offered medical aid to the highest number of passengers in August 2017 in the past 10 years. The airport staff recorded 2,833 medical cases of which 54 needed immediate assistance — including 37 who were rushed to the hospital.