easyJet flight makes emergency landing after pilot collapses mid-air
Passengers were left in panic as an easyJet flight to Manchester was diverted to Athens after the pilot collapsed mid-air. The co-pilot safely landed the plane, and paramedics were on standby.
A flight bound for Manchester was forced to make an emergency landing after the pilot reportedly collapsed mid-air.
Terrified passengers described panic on-board as cabin crew screamed for medical help before the easyJet plane touched down in Athens.
The crew on the flight from Hurghada, Egypt had been serving drinks when they abandoned their trolleys and rushed to the front of the plane two hours into the flight.
"At first we thought this may (have) been a passenger as nothing much was being said other than the screams asking if anyone is medically trained, where a few passengers got up and assisted the cabin crew," a passenger told Manchester Evening News.
The passenger said a screen was quickly erected to seal off the gravely-ill pilot.
"The following call was from the cabin crew to advise this was the (captain) who was seeking medical attention and has fell unwell and we again would be further updated with what was going to happen," they continued.
"At this point the passengers were starting to get rather worried and anxious including myself knowing that it was a pilot and not the passenger."
The terrified passengers were then told the plane would have to make an emergency landing - sending the cabin into panic.
"The ride began to get very rough and scary as we approached the runway," the unnamed passenger said.
"We started to panic. I got upset once I felt how rocky and rough the landing was and started to panic thinking it was the end.
"Another passenger began to have a panic attack and was given an oxygen mask to help."
The plane circled Athens airport to wait for a moment it could land.
Thankfully, the co-pilot took control and landed the aircraft safely.
They reportedly received a "very big well done" from the relieved passengers.
Paramedics were waiting on the tarmac to help the pilot and those on board said the cabin crew were "fantastic".
Passengers were left stranded in the city - with some resorting to sleeping on the airport floor before a hotel was arranged for them.
The passenger said: "We could have waited up to two hours for a free coach or start making our own way but have to pay each trip ourselves.
"As you can imagine everyone is extremely tired at this point and everyone started to gather outside booking taxis."
When the ordeal was over, the passenger reflected: "I'm just so glad we had fantastic cabin crew on board and the co-pilot landed us safely."
An easyJet spokesman told Manchester Evening News: "easyJet can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester yesterday evening was diverted to Athens due to the Captain requiring medical assistance.
"The First Officer performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by paramedics on arrival in Athens.
"As a result the onward flight was delayed overnight and passengers will continue their journey to Manchester today.
"We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption and arranged hotel rooms and meals where available.
"We would like to apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience and understanding."
