A 36-year-old Indian national died after suffering a suspected heart attack during an Air India Express flight from Bahrain to India yesterday, leaving fellow passengers in shock.
Akhil Sudhakaran was travelling with his wife and their six-year-old daughter to Kochi when he suffered a medical emergency mid-flight.
Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam president P V Radhakrishna Pillai, who was also on board, recounted the tragic incident.
“I was travelling on the same flight along with my daughter and grand-daughter to attend a marriage,” Mr Pillai told the GDN.
“About two hours into the journey, an announcement was made requesting the assistance of any medical professional on board. It soon became evident that a passenger seated at the rear of the aircraft was experiencing severe chest pain and required urgent medical attention,” Mr Pillai added.
With the aircraft approximately half an hour from its destination, the captain announced that the flight would be diverted to Kannur International Airport due to the medical emergency.
Upon landing, Mr Pillai said he witnessed a young woman and her child in a state of panic.
“The distressed face of the child, so close in age to my own granddaughter, will haunt me forever,” he said.
Sarath, a member of the Sopanam group and a friend of Mr Sudhakaran, disembarked at Kannur to assist the family, while the flight continued to Kochi.
Passengers later received the heartbreaking news that Mr Sudhakaran had passed away from what was described as a ‘massive cardiac attack’.
“He was only 36 years old, appeared very healthy, and was working in Bahrain for a Dubai-based company,” Mr Pillai said.
Mr Sudhakaran is survived by his wife and their only child. His body has been kept at Thalassery District Hospital.
Mr Pillai offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
“May they find the strength and courage to endure this irreplaceable loss,” he added.
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