A transatlantic passenger jet diverted to Shannon Airport today after the crew declared a medical emergency.
Lufthansa flight LH-451 was travelling from the United States to the Germany at the time. The flight departed Los Angeles at around 3.00am (Irish time) for the 10 and a half hour flight to Frankfurt.
The crew of the Airbus A340-300 jet made contact with air traffic controllers in Ireland shortly before midday issuing a Pan-pan radio call confirming they had medical emergency on board. A ‘Pan-pan’ indicates an ‘urgency’ on board but is not as serious as a ‘May-day’.
It’s understood that a male passenger in his 60s fell ill and collapsed giving crew members cause for concern. While caring for the man, flight attendants became increasingly worried about his condition and the decision was made to divert to Shannon Airport to seek urgent medical attention.
Authorities at Shannon Airport were advised of the unscheduled arrival while the National Ambulance Service was also alerted and requested to dispatch resources to the airport.
An ambulance and advanced paramedic unit were sent to Shannon ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. The flight landed at 12.30pm and taxied to the terminal where paramedics and a fire crew were standing by.
The patient was assessed at the airport before being removed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
The flight continued its journey to Frankfurt at around 1.30pm.