A British Airways flight attendant collapsed and died in front of passengers as the plane was about to take off from London, according to reports.
The 52-year-old flight attendant died shortly before the 13-hour flight from London Heathrow Airport to Hong Kong departed on New Year's Eve. This was reported by the British newspaper The Sun.
The passengers were seated in their seats and the doors were locked, but a flight attendant, who has not been identified, reportedly crouched on the floor at the rear of the plane.
The pilot called for medical personnel and a passenger with first aid training tried to save the man, but he died at the scene, The Sun reported.
London Ambulance Service: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crew, the patient was pronounced dead at the scene.'' said in a statement to Metro UK.
The Sun reported that the flight was taken over by a different pilot and crew and was postponed until the following day.
British Airways told The Sun: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of our colleagues at this difficult time.”
The newspaper contacted British Airways late Wednesday.
This is the second death of a British Airways employee in December.
Another flight attendant, also 52, was found dead in his hotel room between flights on December 23, The Sun reported. As a result, the flight from Newark to London was canceled, the newspaper said.
One source said the outlet's crew was “frantic” as the two crew members did not appear to have any underlying health issues.
Sources say the pair are “family-oriented” and their families are in a state of “shock and disbelief.”
“This has been a traumatic festive period for BA's flying team. Everyone is deeply shaken,” a source said.
