Paphos People

Co-pilot dies during plane flight

The plane was diverted after the co-pilot collapsed and died
A flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert to Turkey after the co-pilot died during the journey.
First Officer Michael Warren, 43, was taken ill during a GB Airways flight to Paphos on Sunday afternoon.

The Airbus A320, with 156 passengers on board, was re-routed to Istanbul where travellers spent the night.

A spokeswoman for GB Airways, which is a franchise partner of British Airways, said that at no time were the passengers and crew in any danger.

Mr Warren, a father-of-two from Ormskirk, Lancashire, was given first aid by the aeroplane's purser, but was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities on arrival in Istanbul.

'Tragic news'

The spokeswoman said: "The flight, with 156 passengers and six crew members, left Manchester on time at 1420 on Sunday, 24th February.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the first officer's wife and family

GB Airways

"Michael became ill during the flight. The purser administered first aid while the captain diverted the aircraft to Istanbul, where it landed at 1945 local time.

"Paramedics attended the aircraft immediately. Sadly, Michael was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife and family following this tragic news."

Mr Warren, a former RAF pilot, joined GB Airways in August 2005.

Passengers were told of a medical emergency on the flight deck upon touch down in Istanbul and spent the night in the city.

They are expected to be flown to Cyprus later.

so young



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How tragic.

The crew must have been really shaken up too, so I hope they are getting some debriefing.

Verity.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

How awful you never think things like this can happen- just as well the team kept a level head and didn't scare the passengers. Marj

I was on the CY504 18 Feb, and looked after a lady that had taken ill.

Good news is she made it and I had the medics meet the flight at LHR.

I would say that if you are not feeling 100% and travel is not urgent then think twice about boarding as 35,000+ crushed into a 737 window seat at the rear is not a good place to be.

Not going into the list, however if this lady had come to me for treatment prior to flying I would have strongly advised against doing so.

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John

In Arduis Fidelis

How tragic, only 43! and from Ormskirk, just a few miles down the road from me.

condolences for his family friends and colleagues

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Angels fly because they take themselves lightly
http://www.sirenasunrise.me.uk

Let's be honest John, who would think of not getting on a plane to some where nice , just coz you are not feeling 100%. I have done myself, and i am sure i not the only one? I am sure people who get on a plane that are not feeling to great, do not think i better not get on just in case something bad going to happen, we do not think like that, we just think ohh well another 4hrs i be in cyprus or home in uk. We do not expect the worse to happen, but they sometimes do

The clue was in the LIST, and I was being generous, not just one thing and she told me had vomited earlier.

Did not want to go into TOO much info before, obviously it is the persons decision, however I would have not let her travel knowing now the full history.

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John

In Arduis Fidelis

But that is the point that Mark is making John. You have some understanding of the problems that may occur. Joe Public generally hasn't, so they don't think of the consequences, do they?

They think that they need to get to their destination and then they can deal with whatever ails them. None of them think it could turn into a real problem in the next four or five hours.

I am amazed at what some people ignore, too, so I can imagine what your long list is.

I collapsed in the airport at Amman a few years ago and was carried onto the plane by some soldiers. They wanted to take me to hospital, but I would have been alone in Jordan and just wanted to get back to the UK. We all do things we shouldn't - even when we should know better.

I can't believe I am agreeing with Mark. After all he has said about me.

Verity.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

I understand what you are both saying, those that travel need to be aware that there is no long term oxygen therapy available and limited medical aid from cabin crew, NO ROOM to perform basic treatments either.

However people with long term history of ailments need to plan ahead, obviously if things are sudden onset entirely diferent position.

Just as well I carry fresh inhalers, GTN and some other little emergency life saving items.

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John

In Arduis Fidelis

On a trip back from Paphos last year a gentleman two rows in front of us was taken poorly. Luckily there was a nurse on board who was great. We were flying with Air Malta and it was frightening the lack of basic equipmment. One crew member dared to argue with the nurse who was helping him.She was a cardiac nurse I think. After about 30 minutes he became very poorly and they had to lay him down in the aisle. We had to land at Munich so that a doctor could come on board. They took him off and we never heard what happened to him. We just prayed he would be ok. It was a very scary time, but much worse for him and his poor wife. I hope I never have to witness this scenario again.
Sue.

My first post, but just wanted to say a few words about Mike (co-pilot).

He was a great guy - a colleague and a friend! I cannot imagine what his family must be going through at this time.

We take comfort in the fact that he was doing a job he loved and, coincidentally, he flew us back to Manchester on our last trip to Cyprus.

Reast in peace, Mike.

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Louise

Get out there......and have a go!

Welcome Truly Sagittarian (Louise),

Glad to see you on board even under such sad circumstances, our hearts go out to you & your friends at losing a colleague, I know how hard it is when you lose someone you've worked with

Louise, I am sorry that you have lost a friend in this way. Please pass on condolences to his family. It is a tragic loss at such a young age.

Verity.

_________________
Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

Just read the newspaper this morning.Please pass on our condolences to the family and friends.

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Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret anything that made you smile Warning Internet forums may contain nuts

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the PP forum. Have viewed the forum from afar for several weeks but was prompted to post on this very sad topic.

Apologies for the spelling error in my posting, guess I was thinking about what I was saying rather than what I was typing. Hey ho! Events like these make me grateful for every day. Mike is the second friend we've lost in the last 3 months in flying related incidents and, my word, has it made me (and indeed my husband) aware of our own mortality.

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Louise

Get out there......and have a go!

Losing people close to me who were too young to die gave me the kick that I needed to change my life. Each day is a gift to be used. If you don't use it you lose it as it never comes around again.

Spelling mistakes? Louise, it would be a very sad person who would care, given the circumstances.

Verity.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

Hi Louise,

I do truely understand your situation as I, myself lost a friend & work colleague less than 2 weeks ago, he was only 29 & had a massive heart attack doing what he loved

It's true, it does make you think of your own mortality & wonder why them & not you

Please feel free to speak to us as & when you feel like it, as we all have lost loved ones, close friends & work colleague & the best way to cope with it, is to speak about it