Flight diverted to Shannon after cabin crew perform CPR on man having heart attack
By Patrick Flynn
A transatlantic jet diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon after a passenger was reported to have suffered a heart attack.
Air Canada flight AC-895 was travelling from Milan in Italy to Toronto, Canada, and was about to cross the south-east coast of Ireland when the crew declared an emergency.
There were 194 passengers and a crew of nine on board the Boeing 767-300 jet.
The crew also broadcast a May Day radio distress message confirming that cabin crew were carrying out CPR on the man.
While a May Day is not generally declared for a medical emergency, the crew confirmed that their passenger was having a heart attack and they required priority handling.
Shannon Airport’s fire service was placed on standby while the HSE sent two ambulances and a rapid response advanced paramedic unit.
The flight landed safely at 2.40pm and was met at the terminal by ambulance paramedics.
The passenger has been taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
Air Canada flight 895 continued its journey to Toronto at 8.45pm after six hours on the ground.
