RYANAIR HAS BEEN accused of trying to treat a passenger suffering cardiac arrest with a sandwich and a soft drink – and then charging the person for the items.
Per-Erik Jonsson, 63, was on a flight from England to Sweden last Sunday when he fell ill and lost consciousness. His wife alerted cabin crew and his stepdaughter Billie Appleton, who is a nurse, attempted to revive him, The Times (subscription required) reports.
He eventually came to and started breathing again but when help arrived courtesy of the cabin staff it was inadequete, according to Appleton: ”They said he had low blood pressure and gave him a sandwich and a soda.
“And they made sure he paid for it,” she told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet (Swedish).
Appleton added that no help was provided when the aircraft landed in Sweden with no ambulance on the tarmac and the family forced to drive Jonsson to the hospital but the airline defended the way it acted.
Spokesman Stephen McNamara is quoted on Mail Online as saying: “In line with procedures for such cases a Ryanair cabin crew suggested a diversion to the nearest airport or to have an ambulance on stand-by on arrival at Skavsta, so that the passenger could receive medical treatment. However, the passenger’s companion, who identified herself as a nurse, declined this offer.”
Appleton has demanded an apology and said the family is considering legal action.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say