An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Vancouver had to make an emergency landing in Calgary on Tuesday night, after a passenger onboard went into medical distress.
“Our crews, professionals who are fully trained to handle any event which may occur during a flight and who are fully qualified in first aid, followed our standard procedures,” Air Canada spokesperson, Angela Mah, told Daily Hive.
This, she said, included using medical equipment onboard as required, and paging for medical assistance.
Emergency medical service responders in Calgary took the female passenger into care right after landing.
The handling of the situation was praised by those who witnessed it.
According to tweeter and passenger Rob Fai, a “handful of patrons stepped up, staff was fantastic and person in distress probably alive because of that effort.”
Tons of respect for @aircanada flight tonight as they handled a pretty unfortunate medical situation with grace & dignity…
— RFN (@RobFaiNation) April 5, 2017
Recognizing @aircanada crew on my AC33, who acted like superheros, made an emergency landing at Calgary & saved a fellow passenger’s life.
— Bilal Jaffery (@BilalJaffery) April 5, 2017
We are now taking off for Vancouver. #AC33 @AirCanada. Proud of the crew and fellow passengers tonight. A life was saved. #aircanada
— Bilal Jaffery (@BilalJaffery) April 5, 2017
Amazing job by crew & passengers onboard @AirCanada flight 033 from Toronto to Vancouver who saved passenger in cardiac arrest. #AirCanada
— Eddy Elmer (@Eddy_Elmer) April 5, 2017
Once the woman was safely off the plane and in the care of paramedics, the aircraft, a Boeing 777-200LR with 314 passengers onboard, received additional fuel in Calgary and carried on to Vancouver.
“Never seen a flight crew go into action like that before,” Fai added. “Cool, composed and handled it like champs. Should be proud.”