bmi cabin crew, Karen Cornelius, Sally Cast and Ellen Davies were last night (20th May) presented with the OAG Outstanding Service Award for saving the life of a seriously ill passenger at 37,000 feet, on a flight from Chicago to Manchester.
At a glittering ceremony at the Park Lane Sheraton Hotel in London, the three quick-thinking colleagues accepted the award from bmi Chief Executive Austin Reid.
The OAG Outstanding Service Award is a special category in the OAG Airline of the Year Awards which publicly recognise the highest standards within the airline industry. The Outstanding Service Award is presented to airline or airport staff nominated by colleagues or passengers for service above and beyond the call of duty.
It was during a bmi transatlantic flight from Chicago to Manchester when passenger Stephen Clarke from Congleton, Cheshire began to suffer severe chest pains. The cabin crew immediately sprang into action and began to administer first aid while talking live to the emergency department of a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
This incident was also the first recorded use and live transmission of an electrocardiogram (ECG) on a commercial aircraft. The results were transmitted via satellite to physicians on the ground at the hospital who were able to advise the crew in real time.
The medical technology used was designed especially for use by airline crew in-flight. It monitors blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood oxygen and carbon dioxide and sends data via the in-flight phone system to experts on the ground, allowing for expert advice and diagnosis.
The three crewmembers worked closely together administrating treatment to the passenger while also keeping in constant contact with the physicians on the ground, relaying the patient’s medical history and behaviour through a satellite link. The pilot of the Airbus A330 radioed ahead to emergency services in Manchester, where paramedics were waiting to take over. On landing, Mr Clarke was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he spent the next ten days, the first four of which were spent in intensive care.
Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG commented:
“OAG is pleased and privileged to recognise the heroic efforts of Karen Cornelius, Sally Cast and Ellen Davies. Their quick-thinking and cool heads most certainly saved the life of passenger Stephen Clarke and is an example to all in the airline industry. They are extremely worthy winners and we are delighted to have them here tonight.”
Austin Reid of bmi added:
“We are delighted that Karen, Sally and Ellen have been recognised for their life-saving actions. They represent the spirit of bmi and deserve to be applauded for their professionalism in such challenging conditions.”