A Ryanair flight RK8293, Reg. EI-HMT, from Tirana, Albania, destined for Manchester Airport was diverted to London Stansted on November 10, 2024, after a passenger tragically passed away on board. The flight, which took off in the evening, was forced into an unscheduled landing due to a medical emergency involving a male passenger. Despite the efforts of the cabin crew and passengers with first aid training, the man was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services upon landing. The incident unfolded amidst what passengers described as 'chaos' when the man began experiencing convulsions.
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Several individuals on the flight with medical knowledge attempted to provide assistance by performing CPR for approximately 25 minutes until the plane landed emergently at Stansted. The flight path showed the aircraft passing over countries like Italy, Switzerland, and France before making its descent into Stansted, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and an air ambulance, met the aircraft on the ground. Despite their swift response, the passenger could not be revived. A spokesperson for London Stansted Airport confirmed the diversion, stating, "The flight you refer to diverted into London Stansted just before 20.00 last night due to an on-board medical emergency. The flight landed safely and was met by medics, airport fire service, and ambulance crews." Despite the best efforts of all involved, the passenger unfortunately passed away.
This tragic event marks another somber incident for Ryanair, which has seen similar diversions due to medical emergencies in the past. The airline extended its deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased and is providing any assistance required. Passengers on the diverted flight experienced significant delays, with the flight eventually resuming its journey to Manchester after the situation was handled.
The identity and age of the deceased have not been publicly disclosed, respecting the privacy of the individual and their family. This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of medical emergencies in flight and the critical role of emergency procedures in aviation. Authorities are likely to conduct routine post-incident reviews to ensure all protocols were followed appropriately during this distressing event.