A 67-year-old woman passed away on an EasyJet flight from Canary Islands, Spain to England, as fellow passengers attempted to save her for nearly an hour, according to multiple reports.
The incident took place on March 25, 2025, when the woman experienced a suspected cardiac arrest shortly after departing from Tenerife, Canary Islands, headed for Liverpool John Lennon Airport in England.
Three passengers, including a nurse and a physiotherapist, immediately responded when the woman collapsed. They alternated performing CPR on her for about 50 minutes while the aircraft was redirected to northern Spain.
“We tried everything to keep her alive,” said a passenger who helped in the rescue effort but wished to remain anonymous. He was traveling with his family when the emergency arose.
Despite their 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 ready to assist.
The passenger who assisted with CPR recounted how he immediately responded to the pilot’s call for help. The airline staff provided an oxygen tank and defibrillator while he, along with the nurse and physiotherapist, worked to save the woman.
“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 occurred at approximately 35,000 feet. After the emergency landing in Spain, police, paramedics, and investigators boarded the aircraft.
Other travelers who witnessed the situation commended the efforts of those who tried to help. One passenger described their actions as “exemplary,” according to local reports.
The remaining passengers were accommodated overnight in Spain before continuing their journey to Liverpool the next day.
EasyJet, based in the United Kingdom, confirmed the incident to local news outlets. The airline issued a statement expressing condolences and reiterating its commitment to passenger safety.
The airline also stated that they have been in contact with the family and continue to offer support during this difficult time.
This is not the first medical emergency on an EasyJet flight requiring diversion. In February 2023, an EasyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt to Manchester, England was diverted after the pilot experienced a medical emergency. The co-pilot had to divert the plane to Athens, Greece.
Medical emergencies on commercial flights are not uncommon, though fatalities are relatively rare. Airlines typically outfit 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.
In such emergencies at 35,000 feet, flight crews often ask if any medical professionals are onboard to assist. In this case, the presence of a nurse and physiotherapist provided valuable assistance.
Despite having medical equipment and assistance from trained passengers, the woman’s condition was too severe. Diverting the flight to the nearest suitable airport is standard protocol in serious medical situations.
The incident underscores the challenges of handling severe medical emergencies in an airplane cabin, despite prompt response and medical intervention. While airlines prepare for such events with training and equipment, some medical issues, particularly cardiac arrests, are difficult to manage outside a hospital setting.