A Hungarian cardiologist has described a dramatic medical emergency aboard a Ryanair flight from Madrid to Budapest, where she spent more than 20 minutes helping to resuscitate a passenger after he lost consciousness, while questioning the airline’s handling of the incident.

According to Telex, cardiologist Júlia Anna Pálfy, who lives and works in Spain, was travelling to Budapest with her three-year-old child on 16 July when cabin crew asked whether any medical professionals were on board.

Asked for medical ID

Pálfy said she identified herself as a doctor but was initially asked to produce a medical identification card. She told Telex that, after explaining she was not carrying her ID, a flight attendant initially said she would therefore be unable to assist. However, as the condition of a male passenger in his forties rapidly deteriorated, she was eventually asked to examine him.

According to the doctor, the man displayed symptoms consistent with a possible heart attack, including severe chest pain radiating to his jaw, breathing difficulties and episodes of near-collapse.

Emergency landing in Marseille

The passenger was moved from his seat and laid in the aisle while Pálfy assessed him. She said she asked the cabin crew what medical equipment was available and was told that only oxygen was on board. She did not specifically ask about a defibrillator at that stage because the patient’s condition had not yet progressed to cardiac arrest.

As the man’s condition worsened, Pálfy advised the crew that an emergency landing would be the safest option. The aircraft’s captain subsequently announced that the flight would divert to Marseille, France.

Passenger loses consciousness

Before the aircraft landed, the passenger reportedly became unconscious and no pulse could be detected. Pálfy immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), assisted by another, Spanish passenger, while the aircraft continued its descent.

“It was hell,” she told Telex, describing the difficulty of performing chest compressions inside a descending aircraft experiencing turbulence.

Ryanair says defibrillator was available

Pálfy said she did not request a defibrillator during the resuscitation because cabin crew had earlier told her that no medical equipment was available apart from oxygen. She also said the crew never suggested using one while CPR was underway.

In response to questions from Telex, Ryanair said that all of its aircraft are equipped with defibrillators, but stated that the doctor never requested one.

The airline did not respond to further questions asking whether cabin crew should proactively offer the device during such emergencies or whether the crew involved were aware that a defibrillator was available on board.

Passenger taken to hospital

After landing in Marseille, a French emergency medical team boarded the aircraft and took over treatment. According to Pálfy, communication was complicated because the medical team spoke only French, and another passenger helped interpret.

The patient was transported to hospital in a stable condition. The doctor later learned from the man’s daughter that he lost consciousness several more times in the ambulance before arriving at the hospital. He has since returned to Hungary and is expected to undergo further medical examinations.

Pálfy said that after the emergency, she returned to find her three-year-old child asleep in the arms of another passenger who had cared for the child during the incident.

She told Telex she received a bottle of water and some chocolate from the crew as thanks for her assistance, although she said she would have appreciated a personal acknowledgement from the captain after helping to save the passenger’s life.

The diverted flight remained on the ground in Marseille for around 90 minutes before continuing its journey to Budapest.

If you missed it: Planning to fly with Ryanair? Airline warns flight prices could rise sharply

Featured image: depositphotos.com