Dubai: Just twenty minutes after the flight took off, panic spread through the aircraft when an announcement came that a passenger had collapsed unconscious in his seat. As fellow passengers looked on helplessly, a nurse who was only on her second flight in life stood up without hesitation.
Akhila Oviyan Neelakandan, a Tamil Nadu native and staff nurse at RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, became the unexpected lifesaver on board, helping bring a passenger back from a critical medical emergency mid-air.
The incident took place on an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. For Akhila, who was travelling on her first vacation after joining work in the UAE, the journey turned into an unforgettable experience.
Akhila was seated toward the rear of the aircraft when the cabin crew made an urgent announcement seeking the help of a doctor or nurse. Without a second thought, she rushed forward.
When she reached the 32-year-old Tamil Nadu native, he was breathing but unresponsive. Soon after, his body began shaking and his limbs started jerking, leaving nearby passengers frightened. But Akhila remained calm and focused, beginning first aid confidently as if she were working inside a hospital ICU.
Another doctor who was also on board joined Akhila in assisting the patient. Together, they moved him to a more comfortable seat in the front row. The medical equipment available inside the aircraft was very limited. Even a device to check blood sugar levels was not available.
Following the doctor’s instructions, Akhila successfully prepared an IV line and helped administer medicines and glucose fluids. For nearly two hours, she stayed beside the patient, carefully monitoring his condition and ensuring he remained stable until the flight landed safely.
