A medical emergency led to high drama on an Indigo flight from Bengaluru to Kolkata on Saturday afternoon when a passenger in his forties, with known health issues, experienced a critical situation mid-air. Fortunately, the presence of three doctors on board made it possible to stabilize him, enabling a safe continuation of the flight to Kolkata.
Dr. M M Samim, who had been awarded a gold medal just the day before at the convocation ceremony at NIMHANS, along with his wife Dr. Naznin Parvin, a pediatrician, and an unidentified surgeon from M S Ramaiah Hospital, were instrumental in managing the medical emergency. Their prompt intervention not only stabilized the patient but also prevented a potential diversion of the flight to Bhubaneswar and ensured the smooth travel of over 200 passengers on board.
The flight, No. 6E 503, took off from Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 1 at 10:42 am, 20 minutes behind schedule. Approximately an hour into the journey, a passenger, a native of West Bengal who works as a laborer in Kerala, began experiencing severe breathlessness and started vomiting. The passenger was traveling with his son to Kolkata for treatment of a chronic liver condition at a government hospital.
Harilakshmi Ratan, a retired chartered accountant seated in row 1B, shared details of the incident with TNIE. “Midway through the journey, a passenger seated in row 16 started vomiting blood. One of the cabin crew members made an announcement seeking any doctors on board for assistance. Three doctors promptly stepped forward and worked to save his life,” Ratan recounted.
Dr. Parvin, who works at a private hospital in Siliguri, described the situation they encountered. “The patient was struggling to breathe and vomiting blood. His blood pressure was low. We provided him with oxygen using the onboard cylinder and administered drips with normal saline, which were also available on the flight. We managed to bring the vomiting under control, and soon his oxygen levels stabilized at 95 as measured by the oximeter.” Medical records carried by the patient indicated that he was heading to Kolkata for treatment of his chronic liver condition.
Dr. Samim, who received the Best Outgoing Resident Doctor in Medicine (DM) in Neurology award and also works at a private hospital in Siliguri, praised the cabin crew’s assistance during the crisis. “The crew was truly exceptional in their support. At one point, the captain asked if we should divert the flight to Bhubaneswar. It was a tough decision, but given the patient’s financial situation and the potential lack of support in an unfamiliar city, I felt it would be best to continue to Kolkata. By then, we had stabilized him as well,” Dr. Samim explained.
The flight successfully landed in Kolkata at 1:24 pm. Upon arrival, Indigo’s medical team took charge of the patient, and an ambulance was on standby to transport him to a hospital.
Moved by the events he had witnessed, Ratan delivered an impromptu speech at the baggage belt, publicly commending the doctors for their life-saving efforts.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)