Fellow Nurses Africa | Lagos, Nigeria | 07 November, 2025
To Indian nurses from Kerala have been hailed as heroes after saving a passenger who suffered cardiac arrest mid-air on an Air Arabia flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi.
The dramatic incident unfolded about 20 minutes after take-off when a 34-year-old man collapsed and became unresponsive. Among the passengers were Abhijith Jees (26) from Wayanad and Ajeesh Nelson (29) from Chengannur, both trained nurses on their first flight abroad to start new jobs in the UAE.
When Abhijith noticed a fellow passenger gasping for air and losing consciousness, he quickly checked for a pulse, there was none.
Acting without hesitation, he began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Ajeesh immediately joined to assist, maintaining compressions and rescue breaths while the cabin crew cleared space and fetched medical supplies.
A doctor on board also assisted by starting IV fluids and monitoring the patient’s vital signs. After several tense minutes, the man regained a pulse and began breathing again, stabilizing before the aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi, where emergency medical personnel took over.
Both nurses were traveling to join Response Plus Medical in the UAE, but their quick thinking and professional skill made an impact even before they began their new roles. Their employer has since praised their composure and compassion, calling the rescue “a true display of nursing excellence beyond borders.”
The passenger’s family expressed deep gratitude, saying the duo gave their loved one “a second chance at life.”
This is a reminder that Nurses are a non-negotiable in a sick world, and they are not confined by hospital walls.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African Nurses. We educate, inform and support the nursing profession.
Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
