March 19th 2024.
On a flight from Thailand back to Heathrow, Gareth Lines, a 36-year-old off-duty paramedic, found himself in a life-saving situation. It all started when he heard a commotion at the back of the plane. At first, he thought someone had simply collapsed and offered to administer CPR. Little did he know, he was about to encounter a much more serious situation.
Upon further investigation, Gareth discovered that a man had attempted to end his own life in the airplane bathroom. With the help of the plane crew, they were able to bring the passenger out to the kitchen area. Gareth quickly realized that the man's heart had stopped, and he needed immediate medical attention.
Thankfully, there was basic equipment on board, including an automatic defibrillator and an oxygen mask. Without any drugs, Gareth relied solely on his training and skills to keep the man alive for the next half hour until they landed at 7:30pm.
After landing, the London ambulance crew arrived and took over. Gareth recalled, "The guy was in cardiac arrest for 30 minutes before the London ambulance crew arrived. It's usually pretty fatal for anyone, so if he hadn't had CPR, the outcome could have been much worse."
EVA Air confirmed the incident on their BR67 Bangkok-London flight on March 15. Gareth, who has been in the ambulance service for ten years and a paramedic since 2019, emphasized the importance of knowing CPR. He said, "Good quality CPR is all that is needed to potentially keep someone alive in the event of a cardiac arrest before the emergency services arrive."
He also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the airline staff and the pilot for their calmness during such a difficult situation. In the end, the passenger was successfully brought to the hospital, and his heart was beating again.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, you can reach out to Samaritans, a 24-hour helpline that offers listening and non-judgmental support. For young people, PAPYRUS offers a digital support platform called HOPELINK, as well as a helpline and email service for those concerned about a young person.
Gareth's heroic actions serve as a reminder of the importance of knowing CPR and being prepared for emergency situations. Metro has reached out to EVA Air for further comment on the incident.
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