Gareth Lines discovered the passenger’s heart had stopped and helped administer CPR (Picture: SWNS)
An off-duty paramedic helped save the life of a man who ‘attempted suicide’ in an airplane bathroom.
Gareth Lines was travelling back from a stag do in Thailand to Heathrow on Friday when he heard a commotion at the back of the plane.
The 36-year-old initially thought someone had collapsed and offered to administer CPR.
But he soon realised it was more serious, after the passenger was found in the cabin toilet of the EVA Air flight.
The paramedic discovered the man’s heart had stopped.
Gareth said: ‘I just thought “what is going on?”.
‘This gentleman had tried to end his life and the plane crew and I dragged him out into the kitchen area.’
There was basic equipment onboard, including an automatic defibrillator and an oxygen mask which he administered for half an hour before landing at 7.30pm.
Gareth said: ‘Without drugs we couldn’t do much more. The guy was in cardiac arrest for 30 minutes then 15 minutes after the London ambulance crew arrived.
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org between the hours of 9am and midnight.
Gareth Lines, an off-duty paramedic stepped in to save a man who reportedly tried to take his own life in an airplane bathroom (Picture: Gareth Lines/SWNS)
‘They managed to get him to hospital and his heart was beating again. It is usually pretty fatal for anyone – if he hadn’t of had CPR.
‘Within 20 to 30 minutes we consider stopping CPR but the guy on the plane was down for a good 30 to 40 minutes.’
EVA Air confirmed the incident on the BR67 Bangkok-London flight on March 15.
Gareth, who has been in the ambulance service for ten years and a paramedic since 2019, says everyone should know CPR.
He initially thought someone had collapsed – but soon realised it was more serious (Picture: Gareth Lines / SWNS)
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.
‘I was thankful to have the support of the airline staff, who remained calm in the difficult circumstances – and to the pilot for a fairly smooth landing as well!’
EVA Air said: ‘During the descent of EVA Air’s flight no. BR67 from Bangkok to London Heathrow on 15th March, a passenger was found in one of the bathrooms, where it was suspected that he had made a suicide attempt.
‘With the assistance of EVA Air’s flight attendants and a medically qualified passenger on board, the affected passenger was immediately given first aid treatment.
‘On the flight’s arrival in London at 7.03pm, the passenger was transported to the hospital for further treatment by medical personnel, and the matter was passed to the police for a follow-up investigation.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.