A passenger onboard a Ryanair flight to the UK died after falling ill on the plane.
The flight, which was due to fly from Malaga to Manchester Airport, had to make an emergency landing at Bordeaux in France on Sunday (7 January), where medics and police were waiting on the runway.
The passenger is believed to have become unwell during the flight, prompting Ryanair cabin crew to call for medical assistance.
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A passenger onboard the flight, told the Manchester Evening News that one passenger had performed CPR, but was tragically unable to save them.
She told the publication: "They asked if anyone was medically trained on board. We had to do an emergency landing in Bordeaux and a passenger next to us performed CPR the whole time that we were landing, but he unfortunately didn’t make it.”
She went on: “People became stressed and needed water and air but there was not enough water for everyone. A woman then fainted due to the stress of the situation.
"There were also many distressed children on board who were very confused and upset. The pilot then announced we will not be continuing the flight and will have to stay overnight in Bordeaux."
A Ryanair spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News: "This flight from Malaga to Manchester (7 Jan) diverted to Bordeaux when a passenger became ill on board. Cabin crew called ahead for medical assistance and the aircraft was met by paramedics upon arrival.”
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Ryanair went on to say that the flight was delayed overnight, and that those impacted were offered accommodation and food vouchers.
The flight took off the following day just after 10am.
The spokesperson said: "As a result, this flight was delayed overnight and passengers were notified by email/SMS and airport staff. Passengers were offered overnight accommodation, and despite Ryanair’s efforts to arrange transport to the hotel, availability of transport was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual transport to the hotel and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com.
"The following morning, airport staff were present to check-in all passengers free of charge and issue boarding passes before this flight departed for Manchester at 10:02 local.”
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that the person who died was a British national and said their family are being supported.
A spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to the family of the British national that died on a flight diverted to Bordeaux.”
Claire Reid