A 67-year-old woman died aboard an EasyJet flight from Spain to England as fellow passengers frantically tried to save her life for nearly an hour, according to multiple reports.
The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, when the woman suffered a suspected cardiac arrest shortly after the plane took off from Tenerife, Spain, headed for Liverpool John Lennon Airport in England.
Three fellow passengers, including a nurse and a physiotherapist, immediately sprang into action when the woman collapsed. The trio took turns performing CPR on the unconscious traveler for approximately 50 minutes while the aircraft was diverted to northern Spain.
“We tried everything to keep her alive,” said one of the passengers who assisted in the rescue effort but requested to remain anonymous. The interviewed passenger was traveling with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law when the emergency occurred.
Despite their determined efforts, the woman, who was traveling with her husband, died before the plane could land at Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in northern Spain, where paramedics were standing by.
The passenger who helped with CPR described how he launched out of his seat when the pilot and flight crew requested assistance. He recalled that the airline staff provided an oxygen tank and defibrillator while he, the nurse, and the physiotherapist worked diligently to save the woman’s life.
“I spoke to her husband afterwards and just said I’m so sorry,” the passenger told the Liverpool Echo. “We tried our best, but she died onboard the plane.”
The emergency unfolded at an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet, according to reports from the Express. After the plane made its emergency landing in Spain, police, paramedics, and investigators boarded the aircraft.
Other travelers who witnessed the harrowing ordeal praised the efforts of those who tried to save the woman’s life. One fellow passenger described their actions as “exemplary,” according to local reports.
The remaining passengers on the flight were provided with overnight accommodations in Spain before they continued their journey to Liverpool the following day.
EasyJet, which is based in the United Kingdom, confirmed the incident to local news outlets. The budget airline issued a statement expressing condolences and emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.
The airline also stated that they have remained in contact with the grieving family and are continuing to offer support and assistance during this difficult time.
This is not the first time an EasyJet flight has experienced a medical emergency requiring diversion. In February 2023, an EasyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt to Manchester, England was diverted after the pilot experienced a medical emergency. In that incident, the co-pilot was forced to divert the plane and land in Athens, Greece.
Medical emergencies on commercial flights are not uncommon, though deaths are relatively rare. Airlines typically equip their aircraft with basic medical supplies, including first aid kits, oxygen, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Cabin crew receive training in basic first aid and emergency response procedures.
When medical emergencies occur at 35,000 feet, flight crews often ask if any medical professionals are among the passengers who can provide assistance. In this case, the presence of a nurse and physiotherapist among the travelers provided valuable expertise during the emergency.
Despite having access to medical equipment and the assistance of passengers with medical training, the woman’s condition proved too severe. The decision to divert the flight to the nearest suitable airport followed standard emergency protocols when a passenger experiences a serious medical issue.
The incident highlights the challenges of handling severe medical emergencies in the confined space of an aircraft cabin, even with prompt response and appropriate medical intervention. While airlines prepare for such situations with training and equipment, some medical events, particularly cardiac arrests, can be difficult to manage effectively outside of a hospital setting.
EasyJet has not released additional details about the passenger’s medical history or the specific circumstances that may have contributed to her cardiac arrest. The airline continues to cooperate with authorities regarding the incident while providing support to the woman’s family.
Passengers who experience the trauma of witnessing such events on flights are typically offered support services by airlines, though the specific support offered to witnesses in this case has not been detailed in reports.
