EasyJet pilot collapses, cabin crew scream for help during emergency landing

Screams came from the cabin crew after the pilot collapsed during a flight from Egypt to Manchester.

Cabin crew and passengers were left screaming in fear after a pilot collapsed mid-flight, causing the plane to make an emergency landing.

An EasyJet flight was on its way to Manchester from Hurghada, Egypt when cabin crew had started to serve drinks to passengers during the five-and-a-half hour flight.

But two hours into the flight cabin crew abandoned their service to passengers and rushed to the cockpit.

According to a witness, screams were heard coming from the plane before a screen was put up to give the gravely ill pilot some privacy.

“At first we thought this may [have] been a passenger as nothing much was being said other than the screams asking if anyone is medically trained, where a few passengers got up and assisted the cabin crew,” a passenger told Manchester Evening News.

Cabin crew then alerted the passengers that the unwell person was the pilot and they were seeking medical attention and would keep everyone updated.

“At this point the passengers were starting to get rather worried and anxious including myself knowing that it was a pilot and not the passenger.”

Cabin crew then alerted passengers that they would be making an emergency landing in Athens, Greece, which caused passengers to begin panicking.

According to the passenger, the plane became “rough and scary” as they approached the runway to make the emergency landing.

“We started to panic. I got upset once I felt how rocky and rough the landing was and started to panic thinking it was the end ... Another passenger began to have a panic attack and was given an oxygen mask.”

The plane then circled Athens airport before being given clearance to land.

According to the passenger, the co-pilot took control of the flight.

Paramedics were waiting on the tarmac to attend to the unwell pilot.

An easyJet spokesman told Manchester Evening News: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY2252 from Hurghada to Manchester was diverted to Athens due to the Captain requiring medical assistance.

“The First Officer performed a routine landing in accordance with standard operating procedures and the aircraft was met by paramedics on arrival in Athens.

“As a result the onward flight was delayed overnight and passengers will continue their journey to Manchester today.”

Some passengers were left stranded in the city, while others ended up sleeping on the airport floor before a hotel was arranged by EasyJet.

The spokesperson said they did everything possible to “minimise the impact of the disruption and arranged hotel rooms and meals where available”.

They apologised to passengers for the inconvenience and thanked them for their patience.