Air Canada flight from Newark diverts to Boston after captain suffers medical episode
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A horrifying mid-air emergency unfolded when a plane heading from Newark to Canada was diverted to Boston after the captain experienced a medical episode during the flight.
Air Canada Flight AC7664, a flight operated by its regional partner PAL Airlines, was heading from Newark Liberty International Airport to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday afternoon.
Officials say that during the flight, the captain experienced a medical episode and was removed from the flight deck.
A passenger on the flight who spoke to ABC News revealed harrowing details of the emergency.
"The flight started swerving violently. Within a few moments, flight attendants entered the cockpit frantically, and a few moments later he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit," said the passenger, Rodney McDonald.
He said the pilot appeared to have some sort of medical episode. He and other passengers jumped in to help the crew.
"It was really horrifying. Myself and about four others worked to get him under control. It was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes keeping him down," McDonald said.
The first officer then took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely.
"Every thought goes through your mind. You start praying. My boys instantly started praying... so I'm told. I was at the front of the plane. I'm just grateful for how it all ended."
There were 61 customers aboard the aircraft, a De Havilland Q400, who exited the plane safely.
Video shows first responders removing the pilot from the aircraft. Authorities say he was taken to the hospital in Boston where he is receiving medical treatment.
Pilots are trained to fly aircrafts and land safely without the assistance of a second pilot.
Work is now underway by the airline to provide the impacted customers with travel arrangements to complete their journeys as soon as possible.
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