An unexpected occurrence disrupted EVA Air’s BR67 flight journey from Bangkok, Thailand to London’s Heathrow Airport, England, prompting an emergency landing on Friday, March 15, 2024.
The unforeseen event involved a male passenger undertaking a suicide attempt in the airplane’s restroom, necessitating immediate action from the flight attendants and onboard medical personnel.
As the Boeing 777 prepared for landing at Heathrow, necessitating all passengers to secure themselves in their seats and exit the lavatories, the crew discovered a distressing situation. A man was found critically injured in the restroom, prompting an immediate medical response by the flight attendants and Gareth Lines, a 36-year-old off-duty paramedic from Portsmouth. After stabilizing the man using CPR, he was swiftly transported to a hospital upon the aircraft’s landing. The man’s identity remains undisclosed.
As reported by FlightAware, a flight tracking application, the aircraft touched down at Heathrow Airport at 7:03 p.m. local time, 17 minutes ahead of schedule.
In an official statement, EVA Air reported, “On March 15th, as flight BR67 from Bangkok to London Heathrow was preparing to land, a passenger was found in a state suggesting a suicide attempt in one of the restrooms. Thanks to the swift action of our cabin crew and a medically trained passenger’s assistance, immediate first aid was given. Upon landing in London, medical staff transferred the passenger for further care, and the police have been informed for additional investigation.”
EVA Air, a leading air carrier from Taiwan, confirmed the incident, underlining a serious moment for both the airline and the passengers on board. The airline’s immediate response in this crisis situation reflects its commitment to the safety and well-being of its passengers, a value upheld across the aviation industry.
Passengers on the flight have reported the intense moments leading up to the emergency landing. One passenger recollected the sense of apprehension that filled the cabin as the crew responded to the situation, emphasizing the profound effect such incidents can have on those onboard. The palpable relief was felt when the plane landed safely, allowing the distressed passenger to receive medical attention.
Lines, the paramedic who helped stabilize the passenger’s condition, later mentioned that the plane was equipped with vital medical equipment, such as an automated defibrillator, and that he asked the crew for oxygen.
He added, “Without medication, there was little else we could do. The individual suffered a cardiac arrest for half an hour, and then, 15 minutes after the London ambulance team arrived.”
The man was subsequently transported to a medical facility where his heart started to beat again.
