Grandma Who Had Heart Attack On Plane Saved By 15 Cardiologists On Board

Experiencing a medical emergency mid-flight, especially on a transatlantic journey, is a scary thing to happen. 

The nearest emergency landing could be hours away, especially if you're somewhere over the ocean when the crisis hits.

It's a tense moment when a pilot asks if there's a medic on board. 

Typically, you might find one or two doctors or nurses among the passengers, but it's incredibly rare to have 15 specialists, all suited to the exact emergency at hand.

For Dorothy Fletcher, this rare scenario became a reality. 

She suffered a heart attack on her flight from Manchester, UK, to Florida, US. Fortuitously, 15 cardiologists on their way to a conference were present to provide her with lifesaving assistance.

Dorothy, 67 years old at the time of the incident in 2003, was flying to attend her daughter's wedding in Florida. 

Credit: BBC

Midway through the flight, the Liverpool native began feeling unwell. 

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she recalled: 

"I realized I was having a heart attack. I had a terrible pain in my back, across my chest, and down my arm. I was sweating profusely and vomiting."

A stewardess promptly asked over the intercom: "Is there a doctor on the plane?" 

Remarkably, all 15 cardiologists stood up to offer their expertise, providing Dorothy with critical care until the plane could land urgently.

Dorothy described her amazement at the response: 

"I only realized when they said is there a doctor on board and all the lights above their heads began lighting up and they all came running towards me."

"I can't believe there were so many doctors - never mind cardiologists - on a plane."

She acknowledged that the presence of so many qualified doctors was reassuring during the frightening ordeal: 

"It was so frightening. I had never experienced a heart attack. But to see so many people helping me took the fright away."

Credit: Getty Images

The cardiologists sprang into action, administering drips and using the plane’s medical kit to stabilize her until an emergency landing could be made in North Carolina.

Dorothy recounted some harrowing moments during the ordeal: 

"I heard a voice saying, 'I think we're losing her' and I wanted to tell them I wasn't dead, but another doctor then said he had found a pulse."

After landing, she was rushed to intensive care at the Charlotte Medical Center, where she spent two days before moving to a regular ward for another three.

Despite the frightening start to her journey, Dorothy was able to attend her daughter Christine's wedding the following week. 

She expressed deep gratitude to the doctors, saying,

"The doctors were wonderful. They saved my life. I wish I could thank them but I have no idea who they were, other than that they were going to a conference in Orlando."

Her daughter, Christine Penman, 32, reflected on the year: 

"2003 was my best and almost my worst of years. We'll see in the new year by giving thanks that my mum got through what she did."

"We owe those cardiologists and the airline so much. My mum wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for those doctors but in the rush, we didn't even know any of their names - and we still don't." 

Christine married her fiancé Gareth, grateful for her mother's miraculous survival.