Emergency Landing After Pilot Collapses on EasyJet Flight from Hurghada to Manchester.
A terrifying incident unfolded on an EasyJet flight traveling from Hurghada, Egypt, to Manchester, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Athens after one of the pilots collapsed mid-flight.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled the unsettling moments when they realized something was wrong. "At first we thought this may have been a passenger, as nothing much was being said other than the screams asking if anyone is medically trained," the passenger shared. A few brave individuals stepped forward to assist, but it wasn’t until later that they learned the pilot had fallen ill.
The flight was promptly rerouted to Athens, where the remaining pilot, despite the chaos, safely executed a rough and frightening emergency landing. "The ride began to get very rough & scary," said the passenger, who admitted to panicking during the bumpy descent. "I got upset once I felt how rocky and rough the landing was and started to panic thinking it was the end."
Emergency vehicles, including fire engines, police, and ambulances, lined the runway to meet the plane, intensifying the tension on board. Another passenger experienced a panic attack during the rough landing and was assisted with an oxygen mask.
Despite the frightening circumstances, passengers expressed gratitude toward the crew and co-pilot for managing the crisis effectively. "I'm just so glad we had fantastic cabin crew on board and the co-pilot landed us safely," one passenger said.
An EasyJet spokesperson later confirmed that flight EZY2252 was diverted to Athens due to the captain's medical emergency, with the first officer carrying out a routine landing. The airline assured passengers that hotel arrangements and meals were provided while they waited for the onward flight.
"EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester yesterday evening was diverted to Athens due to the Captain requiring medical assistance. The First Officer performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by paramedics on arrival in Athens.
As a result the onward flight was delayed overnight and passengers will continue their journey to Manchester today. We did all possible to minimise the impact of the disruption and arranged hotel rooms and meals where available. We would like to apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience and understanding," the spokesperson said.
The passengers were left stranded overnight in Athens, with some opting to find their own transportation to local accommodations. Despite the inconvenience, the passengers remained thankful for the calm and professionalism displayed by the flight crew during the traumatic experience.
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