Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight helped restrain a pilot who skilled a medical emergency that they are saying seemed to be a seizure for about 40 minutes after the plane out of the blue swerved midflight, in line with a passenger who spoke solely with ABC Information.
Air Canada stated Flight AC7664, operated by regional associate PAL Airways, was en route from Newark, New Jersey, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday when the captain skilled the medical emergency, the airline stated.
A flight was diverted to Boston after the pilot had a seizure, June 24, 2026.
WCVB
The primary officer took management of the plane and diverted the flight to Boston, the place it landed safely. The captain was taken to a hospital for medical therapy, in line with the airline.
The De Havilland Q400 was carrying 61 passengers. Air Canada stated it’s working to rearrange alternate journey for these on board.
Rodney McDonald, who was touring together with his spouse and two sons, advised ABC Information the ordeal started when the plane unexpectedly lurched.
“The second the airplane swerved, I knew one thing was fallacious as a result of it was not turbulence,” he stated. “It actually felt like somebody had jilted the controls after which it occurred over and over. And, , each thought goes by means of your thoughts, you begin praying. My boys immediately began praying.”
McDonald stated a flight attendant rushed into the cockpit earlier than pulling one of many pilots into the aisle.
“One of many flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically and some moments later, he was dragging one of many pilots out of the cockpit onto the aisle method of the airplane,” he stated.
A flight was diverted to Boston after the pilot had a seizure, June 24, 2026.
WCVB
McDonald stated the pilot seemed to be experiencing a seizure, and he and about 4 different passengers helped restrain him whereas the co-pilot flew the plane to Boston.
These doubtlessly experiencing a seizure ought to by no means be held down because of the threat of additional damage, the CDC notes. As a substitute, the realm ought to be cleared of sharp or harmful objects; they need to be turned gently on their aspect, and their airway ought to be saved clear.
“Yeah, it was actually horrifying. I used to be sitting within the entrance row, my household was from their again, simply the best way the seat association labored out,” he defined. “And I went again to sit down with them after which realized that the pilot was uncontrolled bodily, not violently, prefer it was clear that he was not in charge of his schools and wanted to be restrained.”
He continued, “[We] labored to get him beneath management, it was a reasonably strenuous 40 minutes of protecting him down and utilizing as many seatbelts as we may to restrain his legs arms and chest.”
McDonald stated a registered nurse on board helped direct passengers and help the pilot through the medical emergency, whereas he praised the flight attendants for remaining calm all through the ordeal.
“The flight attendants have been stupendous. They stayed calm,” he stated.
Emergency responders met the plane after it landed in Boston. McDonald stated he was grateful everybody made it off safely.
“We’re simply grateful, grateful for the way it all ended,” he added.
