Jet2 flight makes emergency landing with 'staff in tears' after pilot has 'heart attack'
Passengers aboard a Jet2 flight were left shaken after their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing following reports the pilot had suffered a suspected heart attack.Flight LS1266 was en route from Tenerife to Birmingham when travellers began witnessing concerning scenes unfold. Cabin crew were spotted rushing up and down the aisle, visibly distressed, urgently asking whether anyone on the 220-passenger flight had medical training.The aircraft also experienced a sudden loss of altitude as it diverted to Porto for an unscheduled landing, with the first officer taking control of the plane."We were awoken by chaos," one passenger told The Sun, explaining that both they and their partner had been asleep when the situation developed."Lights began flashing and hostesses who were visibly upset, seeking a doctor."Our two-year-old began crying like many other children onboard because the aircraft was dropping so quickly for an emergency landing."Video footage captured the moment the plane touched down safely in Porto at 2.11am on Friday, with emergency services swiftly attending to the pilot."We were stranded in Portugal for over 13 hours without accommodation," one traveller revealed. "They wouldn't let us off the plane itself for over an hour. Then we were just left to wander around."There was nowhere to stay. They said accommodation was too expensive."The passenger noted they had "full sympathy" for the pilot. Jet2 dispatched a replacement pilot, flying them from Manchester to Porto to assist stranded passengers in completing their journey home.Those affected were informed they could switch, free of charge, onto any Jet2 flight heading to one of 14 UK destinations within the following week.Jet2 reportedly stated: "Flight LS1266 from Tenerife to Birmingham diverted to Porto on Thursday (21st May), due to one of the pilots feeling unwell."At no point was safety compromised, and customers subsequently continued their journey. We would like to apologise to customers for this unforeseen delay."The Mirror has approached Jet2 for further comment.Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives... To add us as a preferred source, simply click here.
