Sudden Stiffness... Passenger Collapses on Korean Air Flight, Crew Saves Life

Korean Air flight attendants saved the life of a foreign passenger during a flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

According to the aviation industry on the 31st, on the 25th of last month at 1:35 PM, a Nepalese passenger, Mr. A, lost consciousness and collapsed at Incheon Airport. About six hours after takeoff, Mr. A experienced stiffness in his limbs and was unable to control his body properly. At that time, flight attendant Park Dong-jin, who was serving snacks, noticed Mr. A’s condition and alerted all crew members to the emergency.

Korean Air flight attendants and passengers providing first aid to a Nepalese passenger on KE695 flight
Photo by Yonhap News

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Flight attendant Park and Deputy Chief Steward Seo Ok-jin, along with other crew members, checked Mr. A’s pulse and blood pressure and, with the cooperation of other passengers, laid him down in his seat. An announcement was made to find a doctor on board, but there was no response. The crew performed emergency treatment following advice from domestic medical staff through Korean Air’s ‘24-hour Ground Emergency Medical System.’

It was reported that Mr. A is a patient with a neurological disorder who needs to take medication regularly but did not have his medication with him. About an hour later, Mr. A regained consciousness and was handed over to local medical personnel after landing. Korean Air explained that it conducts annual regular safety training for flight attendants to prepare for in-flight emergencies, including practical training on emergency treatment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED).

Additionally, the crew, with the help of a Nepalese nurse passenger, checked Mr. A’s medical history from his belongings. It was confirmed that Mr. A is a neurological patient who needs to take medication regularly but did not have his medication with him.

Korean Air aircraft and crew members
[Photo by Korean Air]

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About an hour later, just before landing, Mr. A regained consciousness and was handed over to medical staff waiting on the ground. It was reported that Mr. A had recovered to a level where he could communicate.

Flight attendant Park Dong-jin said, "All crew members think of themselves as ‘police officers, firefighters, and rescuers’ on board," adding, "The medical equipment training we receive every year has been a great help." Korean Air’s Chief Steward Jeong Su-ryeong stated, "If you have a chronic illness, even if you have taken your medication before boarding, informing airline staff about your condition before and after boarding can be helpful in case of an emergency."

Meanwhile, Korean Air reportedly provides systematic training related to in-flight emergency treatment, including practical sessions on emergency treatment, CPR, and AED use, through annual regular safety training for all cabin crew members.

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