T'way crew members save French passenger with CPR during flight

T'way Air crew members perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a safety training at the company's training center in Seoul's Gangseo District in this undated handout photo. Courtesy of T'way Air

T'way Air crew members saved a passenger’s life by quickly responding to an emergency cardiac arrest situation on board, the Korean budget carrier said Friday.

On April 2, T'way cabin crew member Kim Sang-man found a French national in their 60s experiencing a heart attack during the first meal service on a flight from Paris to Incheon.

Kim immediately checked the passenger’s condition and performed CPR after finding he had no pulse and was not breathing.

Another crew member reported the situation to the cabin manager and the cockpit and searched for medical personnel among the passengers on board.

Cabin Manager Lee Hyun-jin, along with other crew members, continued CPR measures and used an automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Once the passenger's heartbeat and breathing returned and he regained consciousness, crew members moved him to a seat in business class to rest, where the passenger's condition was observed with the help of a French nurse who was on board.

The passenger was able to respond to questions from crew members and eat and drink, the airline said.

"When I first found him (the passenger), I immediately tried to resolve it calmly, recalling my usual training," Kim said. "I am grateful to passengers and colleagues who helped me, and I will continue to do my best to carry out the in-flight safety work with a full commitment to my duty."