Heroic Mid-Air Rescue: How Air India Crew and Passengers United to Save Elderly Man's Life During Flight Emergency

Representative image.

A life-threatening medical emergency occurred on an Air India flight traveling from Bhubaneswar to Delhi on December 6 when an elderly passenger suddenly collapsed mid-journey. The incident was shared on LinkedIn by Anand Bajpai, a professional based in Hyderabad, who witnessed the entire situation firsthand. According to Bajpai, the immediate response from the flight crew and fellow passengers was instrumental in saving the elderly man's life.

In his detailed account, Bajpai mentioned that he had noticed the elderly couple during boarding and had agreed to switch seats with the man. He described the immediate chaos that erupted when the man suddenly collapsed and someone frantically called out, "He's not breathing!"

Bajpai wrote, "Some panicked, some got scared, some just wanted to see ki hua kya hai (what has happened), and suggestions poured in. But some chose to respond."

In this critical moment, a doctor aboard the flight and several other passengers, along with the Air India crew members, promptly stepped forward to assist the elderly passenger. They moved him to the rear flight deck where they could provide better care, and gradually, the man began to regain consciousness. The team engaged him in simple conversations about his family and profession to keep him alert and responsive.

"One stock broker (First responder), One Doctor and a bunch of Air Hostesses got together and started to execute tasks at hand. Mine was the simplest - observe, regain control & employ right resource for right task," Bajpai explained.

He further added, "When we got Uncle to the rear flight deck, he started regaining consciousness, and we did what is taught 'Never let a casualty drift'. So we started our conversations. Normal Human Conversations. Family, Home, Life, Profession et al."

In his post, Bajpai specifically commended the Air India crew members, referring to them as "heroes without capes" for their professional and efficient handling of the emergency situation.

The story has garnered significant attention on social media, with users praising the coordinated effort that potentially saved a life. One commenter wrote, "Brilliant effort...BZ to all the heroes," while another added, "What a story Anand ji, Proud of you for what you have done. Keep Inspiring us...!!!"

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared for medical emergencies during flights and how quick thinking and cooperation between passengers and crew can make a critical difference in emergency situations.